Chocolate Poached Pears with Vanilla Sauce

Category: Desserts
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vanilla Sauce
   Begin by whisking together the egg yolks and 200g of sugar in a bowl until well-combined.
   In a separate saucepan, heat the whole milk and 125ml of fresh cream, adding the scraped seeds of the vanilla pod. Gently bring the mixture to a simmer, then slowly whisk it into the egg and sugar mixture. Continue whisking until smooth and creamy. Set this vanilla sauce aside.

2. Make the Syrup
   In a small saucepan, combine 200g of sugar with 500ml of water. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Bring the syrup to a near-boil, then remove from heat. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Pears
   Peel the pears carefully, making sure to leave the stems intact. Once peeled, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Wrap the pears individually in plastic wrap to keep them moist.

4. Poach the Pears
   Add the pears to the syrup you prepared earlier, ensuring they are fully submerged. Simmer the pears gently for about 15–20 minutes or until tender. Remove the pears from the syrup and allow them to cool slightly.

5. Make the Chocolate Sauce
   In a separate saucepan, melt the dark chocolate with 30ml of water over low heat. Stir in 30g of fresh cream until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

6. Assemble the Dish
   To serve, pour a generous amount of the warm vanilla sauce onto a plate, creating a mirror-like base. Place the poached pear halves on top. Drizzle the melted chocolate sauce over the pears and finish with a touch of the reserved syrup if desired. Garnish with extra chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of indulgence.

Enjoy this delightful dessert, a perfect blend of tender, poached pears and rich chocolate sauce!