Traditional Spanish dessert “Pera’s al vino,” or Mulled Wine Poached Pears, is the best of two worlds; fruits and wine merging into an easy and tasty bite.
This dessert comes from the Spanish region of Rioja, which is well known for its deep red wines. These Mulled Wine Poached Pears are easy to make and don’t need much preparation. A must-know dessert that is gluten-free, egg, lactose and nut free too. Plus, you can make them ahead to let you concentrate on the rest of the feast.
Which Type of Pear?
For this particular recipe, Spaniards traditionally use “Pera Conferencia,” but it will be hard to find if you are in America. So any pear type holding good, not too filled with water, nor too porous should do. So pick a firm pear of your choice at the Farmer’s Market.
The Spices
Most people in Spain spice it up with cinnamon, although others use vanilla, orange or lemon peel, ginger, cardamom, anise star, cloves or peppercorn. As for this version, my favourite blend of spices is the usual cinnamon stick plus an organic lemon peel, anise star and a few peppercorns. But this is up to your pantry to decide!
Type of Wine and Sugar
The final result isn’t tasting much wine; it’s more of a lightly spiced-up grape syrup because most alcohol will evaporate during the cooking process. I’ve used a Rioja wine for this recipe to have a whole body and authenticity, but it could be any wine.
As for the ruby red finish, I’ve used brown sugar for a deeper colour and taste, but white sugar is doing the trick too.
Cold or Warm?
This dessert is traditionally eaten cold but sometimes warm too; it macerates for hours in the wine to absorb all those flavours to perfection. Although, I prefer to eat it warm, served on the spot. It brings extra comfort to the dish and warmth on a cold winter night. In restaurants, you’ll see them swimming in a jar of wine at room temperature. Either Way, served cold, lukewarm or hot, you won’t be wrong; they are all great.
Storage
As mentioned, leave the pears in the wine covered with a film in the fridge. Or sterilize a pot and add them to it, like a conserve. But cut the heart first if you intend to keep them for long in the fridge.
To Serve with
Usually, you eat them alone, as it is, but some people like a little Creme Patissiere whipped cream or ice cream next to it!
Mulled Wine Poached Pears
Ingredients
- 4 pears
- 500 ml red wine
- 150 g brown sugar (or white)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 anis star
- 1 lemon peel
- black peppercorn
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except the pears to a saucepan, medium-low heat, and bring to a simmer.
- Peel the pears from the top to keep the tip intact, and cut off the bottom for the pear to stay on a plate.
- Add them to the gently boiling wine and cook for 30 minutes, turning them gently mid-way.
- Serve warm as it is, or traditionally you would leave the pears in the syrup for a few hours covered in the fridge before serving.
- Serve with a spoon or two of the mulled wine.
15 Comments
Such a classic, old recipe! Love all those great spices and look at the color of the pear. Lovely photo.
tradition prevails;) Thanks for stopping by!
Oh myyyy!!! Beautiful photos and it looks delicious
too easy not to try at home also;)
Lovely pears! They look lip smacking on the photos!
thanks!
Love this easy flavourful summer dessert! My mouth is watering!
SOoo terribly easy and sooo terribly delicious!
These look so beautiful. I love poached pears, but yours have such a gorgeous colour on them!
Such an elegant dish – would be great for a dinner party dessert!
exactly! take them right out of the fridge directly to your guests! so easy and yummy!
I’m so intrigued by this recipe! I’ve pinned it to try out in the future — I haven’t made anything like it before but can only imagine how delicious how it is. 🙂
In Spain it s quite popular! Glad to pick your curiosity;) enjoy!
This is a classic for a good reason 🙂 extraordinarily non-fussy and always a good end to a good meal, guests or no guests~ Plus… always a good excuse to pop the cork on a bottle of my favorite Rioja Tempranillo 😉
Nothing like a Rioja wine! Yum!