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Epicurious
Bon Appétit

Poached Asian Pears with Star Anise and Tropical Fruit

3.8

(3)

Light, refreshing and very sophisticated. Asian pears have a crisp texture, a round shape, and a sweet and floral aroma that's quite unlike that of the more familiar buttery "pear-shaped" pear.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 star anise*
1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
4 large (10 ounces each) Asian pears
1 1 3/4-pound papaya, diced
1 14-to 16-ounce mango, diced
*A brown star-shaped seed pod; available at Asian markets and specialty food stores and some supermarkets.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring first 7 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    Peel and core pears. Add to syrup. Add enough water to cover pears. Cover pan; simmer until pears are tender, about 40 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pears to bowl. Increase heat; boil liquid until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 25 minutes. Strain syrup; pour over pears. Chill until cold. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill.)

    Step 3

    Stand 1 pear in center of each plate. Spoon papaya and mango around pear. Spoon syrup over and serve.

TagsFruit DessertDessertPearFruitPapayaMangoStone FruitSnackGluten FreeNut FreeDairy FreeMake AheadEasyPoachBon Appétit
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