Food Recipe
Elegant, lightly spiced, and naturally sweet, these honey-poached pears are infused with Dr. L Riesling, warm vanilla, and citrus, making them the perfectly balanced dessert to pair with a chilled glass of Dr. L Riesling. The wine’s bright acidity enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness, while the delicate spices and honey tie everything together.
For a non-alcohol pairing, we suggest trying this with the Dr. Lo Riesling.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 4 firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work best), peeled and cored
- 2 cups Dr. L Riesling (for a bright, aromatic base)
- ½ cup honey
- 1 vanilla bean, split (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip lemon zest
- 1 strip orange zest
- ½ cup water
Instructions:
- Prepare the pears: Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for a beautiful presentation.
- Make the poaching liquid: In a large saucepan, combine Dr. L Riesling, honey, vanilla bean (or extract), cinnamon stick, lemon zest, orange zest, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the honey.
- Poach the pears: Add the pears to the liquid, making sure they’re fully submerged. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, turning the pears occasionally, until they are tender but still hold their shape.
- Reduce the syrup: Using a slotted spoon, remove the pears and set aside. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer the poaching liquid until it thickens slightly into a syrup (about 5 minutes).
- Serve: Place each pear in a shallow bowl, drizzle with the Riesling syrup, and serve warm or chilled.
- Optional toppings: Garnish with whipped mascarpone, vanilla ice cream, or toasted nuts for an extra touch of indulgence.
The honeyed fruitiness of the pears mirrors the natural sweetness of Dr. L Riesling, while the wine’s crisp acidity cuts through the richness, making each bite feel light, balanced, and perfectly refreshing.