Boozy Carmelized Korean Pears

Boozy Carmelized Korean Pears

This extremely simple to make desert earns high points for looking extravagant and leaving guests think you took hours to make it.  The truth is that this can easily be whipped out in 15 minutes on any night but you can keep that you're secret.   This recipe uses Korean Pears but you can easily substitute them for any pear type.  I always pick up the Korean Pears in the Asian market because I like their crunch texture and prefer their mild sweetness, especially here where you be adding some sweetness.  This summer I'll be sure to try some local pears.

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Other than pears you may have most of the ingredients already in the pantry so this doesn't require a ton of pre-planning.  In fact I came up with this mainly because I had a pear that needed to be used soon.

You Will Need:

  • 1-2 Pears, peeled. cut in half and cored with a melon baller or spoon.
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • dash nutmeg
  • 1-2 Whole Star Anise
  • 2 TBSP Brown Sugar
  • 1 TBSP lemon Juice
  • 2 TBSP honey
  • 2 TBSP Butter
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 TBSP Bourbon (optional)

In a medium saucepan heated to Medium, stir together the butter and honey until it starts to bubble.  Add the vanilla.  Place the pears cut side down in pan and lower heat to medium low.  Add a dash of ground cinnamon, the nutmeg and star anise. Simmer the pears until well browned on the cut side, about 8-10 minutes.  During cooking spoon some of the sauce over the bottoms of the pears.

Remove the pears from the sauce and plate them rounded side on the bottom (Cut side up).

Add the lemon juice and brown sugar to the pan and stir in the bourbon (if using).  Stir the mixture well until a thick syrup is formed which should only take about 2 minutes.  Pour the mixture over the pears.

Garnish the plate with Star Anise and Cinnamon sticks if you have extra.  This is a sweet desert that is satisfying served as is, but if decadent is your style, serve with a scoop of ice cream or heavy cream topping.  You can always cut the sweetness with an old fashioned cocktail by the side.

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