Hibiscus Orange Poached Pears
Updated: Nov 2
Ingredients
4 to 6 pears, preferably firm, not too ripe
4 tablespoons hibiscus tea (or teabags)
2 cups water
3 orange peels or 1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, about 2 to 3 medium oranges
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or 3 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, or 1/2 vanilla pod, beans scraped
2 star anises
Instructions
Prepare the pears: peel, slice in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds.
To prepare the orange peels, cut around the orange with a sharp knife, avoiding the white pith. You should be left with a a thin, orange peel. If easier, you could zest the orange instead, you're looking for a 1 teaspoon of zest.
Prepare the poaching liquid: in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, orange juice, hibiscus tea (bags), sugar, orange peels, vanilla and star anise, if using.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. Gently submerge the pears in the poaching liquid. Simmer the pears for 8 to 10 minutes, light pink, until softened, and fork tender.
Pull the pears out of the poaching liquid and place them in a heatproof container. In the meantime, simmer the sauce for 10 more minutes, until reduced and slightly thickened, or to preference.
Pour the syrup over the pears, straining out remaining tea leaves and spices using a sieve.
You could serve them right away, but I prefer them cold. Allow them to come to room temperature, then store in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving.
To serve, plate with yogurt and granola, ice cream and toasted almonds or custard and crumble.
