Name: Poached Asian Pears with Star Anise and Tropical Fruit
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.

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

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 Dessert Dessert Pear Fruit Papaya Mango Stone Fruit Snack Gluten Free Nut Free Dairy Free Make Ahead Easy Poach Bon Appétit

Recipe information

Ingredients

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Recipe notes