Poached Pears in Raspberry Sauce
 
 
Fresh pears poached in raspberry juice blush and absorb a raspberry essence even before they are cloaked in a sauce. These pears retain the shape and texture of fresh pears with the sweet softness of poached. They are bathed in a crimson raspberry sauce perfumed with raspberry brandy.
 
4 tablespoons    Lemon Juice  
8   Ripe Pears  
3 10-oz    Packages frozen rasperries in syrup, thawed  
6 cups    Water  
1 cup    Sugar  
¾ cup    Seedless Raspberry Preserves  
2 tablespoons    Raspberry brandy, conac, or kirsch  
  Mint Sprigs for Garnish  
 
1 Fill a medium bowl with water, adding 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Peel pears, leaving stem intact. Working from the base of the pears, use a melon baller to remove the seeds, taking out a ball of seeds at a time, leaving the top intact. Cut a small slice from the bottom so pears will stand straight. As each is peeled, place it in lemon water to keep from discoloring.
2 Choose a saucepan (about 4 quarts) into which the pears fit comfortably. Drain raspberries, reserving syrup. Pour syrup, water, sugar, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice into pan. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. * Poaching syrup may be stored in refrigerator indefiniely and reused to poach peaches or pears. ** May be frozen.
3 Add pears to syrup, cover, and simmer slowly, turning occasionally until pears are tender when pierced with a knife. The poaching time will depend on the type, size and ripeness of the pear, anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes. When tender, remove from syrup, place in a bowl, and when syrup is cool, pour it over the pears. * May be refrigerated, covered overnight, turning occasionally.
4 In a medium saucepan, heat the 3 packages reserved drained raspberries and preserves until boiling. Press through the medium disk of a food mill or throught a strainer. For a clear sauce, strain twice to make sure all seeds are out. Add liqueur and refrigerate covered until ready to use. *Sauce may be refrigerated for 1 week.
5 At serving time, remove pears from syrup and blot with paper towels. Soon a small amount f sauce onto each dessert plate, dip pears in remaining sauce, and place on plate. Garnish top with sprig of mint. Serve with fork, spoon and knife.
 
Servings: 8
 
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