I love pears. There is a moment when they are perfectly ripe, slightly firm, juicy and sweet. When cooked they take on another dimension as their flavor is enhanced.
Certain spices evoke seasons, and the aroma of vanilla, cinnamon and cloves speak of a winter’s day when you smell baking gingerbread cookies or mulled wine. These pears encompass all of these delicious traits.
Pan-Roasted Pears with Vanilla and Cloves
Ingredients
- 2 ounces butter
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out (or 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or pure vanilla extract)
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 pinch allspice
- 3 cloves
- 8 pears, peeled, cored and quartered
- ½ cup crème fraîche
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Place the butter in a large shallow pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar, vanilla bean seeds, the vanilla beans themselves (if using), the cinnamon stick, allspice and cloves.
- Cook for 2 minutes so that the sugar has started to melt, stirring frequently.
- Carefully add the pears to the pan. Turn and coat the pears with the buttery-sugary mixture and cook for 10–15 minutes, turning them once or twice. The pears should be a golden-brown color and smell heavenly.
- Remove from the heat but leave the pears in the pan until you are ready to serve.
- Combine the crème fraîche and lemon zest in a small bowl. Serve a good spoonful on each plate alongside the warm pears.
