Pere Cotte nel Vino Rosso con Crema e Salsa di Vino – A Traditional Tuscan Recipe

Pears cooked in red wine and served with vanilla custard and reduced red wine syrup

Pears poached in wine have been enjoyed in Italy for centuries, and the dish is frequently served with a variety of accompaniments, such as vanilla ice cream or mascarpone cheese.

The use of a reduced red wine syrup in the dish adds a modern twist to the classic recipe, adding depth and complexity to the flavours. The vanilla custard complements the tartness of the red wine and the delicate flavour of the pears, creating a truly decadent dessert.

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the pears and syrup:

• 4 williams pears
• 1.5 L red wine (un-oaked)
• 1 tsp cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 300 g sugar

Preparation

Peel the pears with care and leave the stem on top. You can either leave them whole or cut in half and eliminate the seeds. In a large saucepan add the wine, sugar, cinnamon, and the cloves. Stir and then add the pears so they are completely covered. Cook over a gentle flame for approximately 20 minutes until they are soft but still quite firm. The time depends on the size and maturity of the pears. Stir occasionally if they are not completely covered. Turn off the heat and let them sit in the wine for approximately 20 minutes. Remove the pears with a large slotted spoon and set aside carefully. Strain the wine to remove the cloves and then boil until the sauce reduces to approximately one third or the desired consistency.

For the custard:

• 375 ml whole milk
• 3 egg yolks
• 50 g sugar
• 10 g flour
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• the peel of half a lemon

Preparation

Mix the flour, egg yolks, sugar and a bit of the milk together in a bowl. In a saucepan (preferably copper) heat the milk with the lemon peel and vanilla until it reaches near boiling point. Slowly add the milk to the egg mixture, stirring constantly, and put back into the saucepan over a low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Serve the pears with the cream and a little of the wine sauce.

Pears cooked in red wine and served with vanilla custard and reduced red wine syrup Pears poached in wine have been enjoyed in Italy for centuries, and the dish is frequently served with a variety of accompaniments, such as vanilla ice cream or mascarpone cheese. The use of a reduced…

Pears cooked in red wine and served with vanilla custard and reduced red wine syrup Pears poached in wine have been enjoyed in Italy for centuries, and the dish is frequently served with a variety of accompaniments, such as vanilla ice cream or mascarpone cheese. The use of a reduced…