Braising pears in this flavourful liquid infuses them with comforting spices and a hint of sweetness.

Vanilla and red wine braised pears

Serves 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

 Ingredients:

3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
4 bartlett pears, peeled, cored and quartered
1 1/2 cups red wine
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out and reserved
3 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
3/4 cup 35% cream

Method:

1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in an extra-large non-stick frying pan over medium-high. Add pears and cook, flipping halfway through, 4 minutes. Stir in wine, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean and seeds. Boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, flipping halfway through, until pears are tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer pears to a large plate.

2. Boil sauce for 3 minutes. Whisk 2 tablespoons of sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter into wine mixture until smooth.

3. Whisk cream with remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Drizzle pears with wine syrup. Top with whipped cream.

Per serving: 388 calories, 2 g protein, 35 g carbs, 24 g fat, 4 g fibre, 23 mg sodium.

Courtesy Claire Tansey
chatelaine.com
@tanseyclaire
@Chatelaine