Riesling Poached Pears With Cardamom Cream Food

SUGARED CARDAMOM PEARS

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter. As the butter melts and begins to foam, add the Bosc pears. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the brown sugar and stir to incorporate the sugar mixture, evenly coating the pears. Stir in the salt, cardamom, and vanilla extract, and continue to stir until the liquid becomes syrupy. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve over vanilla ice cream garnished with crystallized ginger.

CARDAMOM PEARS OVER SPICED YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Halve and core the pears and place them cut-side down on paper towels until ready to use.
• Mix the brown sugar, ginger, cardamom, cloves and salt in a small bowl. Turn the pears cut-side up and sprinkle them each with a teaspoon of the mixture.
• Brush the grill pan with the coconut oil and place the pears cut-side down on the grates. Cook until grill marks appear, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pears to a plate. Mix the remaining spice mix into the yogurt. To serve, add about 1/2 cup yogurt to a bowl or plate, then add 2 pears halves and sprinkle with a couple small mint leaves. Serve immediately.

CARDAMOM CREAM

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of heavy cream and the cardamom to a boil. Reduce until only 1/4 cup remains. Allow to cool. Reserve. Whip the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Stir in the reserved mixture. Chill until ready to serve.

POACHED PEARS WITH RIESLING

Steps:

• Core pears from the bottom, using a small melon baller to scoop out the seeds. Cut a round of parchment to fit inside a large pot (it should be wide enough to hold the pears in one layer). Place pears in pot along with wine, brown sugar, and enough water to just cover pears (2 to 3 cups). Scrape vanilla bean seeds into pot, then drop in pod. Cover with parchment round.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat; simmer, turning pears occasionally to coat with liquid, until very tender but not falling apart, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on ripeness and size of pears. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pears to a large bowl. Remove and discard vanilla bean pod. Cover bowl with parchment round (or cut a new one to fit).
• Bring poaching liquid to a boil and cook until reduced to consistency of thin syrup, about 10 minutes. Pour syrup over pears and refrigerate, covered with parchment, until cool. Serve pears in shallow bowls or cups; tuck a chocolate-mint leaf into stem end of each one, if desired.