Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream

Monday 14 September 2009

Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 





 I just love pears. Like plums, apricots, nectarines, apples, berries, figs . . . they are one of my absolute favourite fruits. hmm . . . I am thinking that perhaps I just love fruits? Who knew!



  Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 




 I came across some beautiful little forelle pears in the grocery store on Friday and I knew right away what I wanted to make.





  Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 





 This is my absolutely favouritest of all favouritest desserts. Simple and yet . . .



  Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 





 very scrummy and moreish . . . and yet at the same time, elegant enough to serve at a special dinner party or celebration. I could eat the whole recipe by myself, but I'm not a greedy person. I do share from time to time.





  Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 





 Perfect desserts are meant to be shared . . . don't you think?? (And I know just the perfect person to share these with!) 


  Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 





  *Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream* 
Serves 4 



 This is one of my favourite desserts. I love the subtle flavour of the spices with the sweet creaminess of the pears. I like this much better than any alcohol based recipe. Mascarpone cheese goes with them so perfectly. If this doesn't become one of your favourites, I'll eat my hat! 



 4 forella pears (can use larger ones, but they will take a bit longer to cook) 
2 TBS butter 
2 TBS runny Italian honey 
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise 
1 star anise, broken in half 
2 bruised cardamom pods 
1/2 cinnamon stick, broken in half 
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg 
2 TBS brown sugar 
the juice of one lemon 

To serve: 
1/2 cup double cream 
1/2 cup of full fat mascarpone cheese 
the grated zest of one lemon 
2 TBS caster sugar




  Caramelized Pears with Mascarpone Cream 



 Peel the pears and then cut them in half, leaving the stems on if possible. Scoop out the centre seeds with a melon baller. 

 Place the butter and the honey into a large deep and heavy skillet. Melt together and then add the vanilla bean, scraping out the seeds into the mixture. Add the star anise, cardamom pods, and the cinnamon stick. Grate the nutmeg over top. 

 Bring to a boil and once the mixture starts to foam, add the pears, cut side down. Reduce the heat to medium low. 

 Cook until the pears are golden brown on the underside and tender when tested with the tip of a sharp knife. Remove to a serving bowl. 


 Stir the lemon juice and the brown sugar into the pan drippings. Bring to the boil and cook until the mixture is syrupy. Pour over the pears. 


 You can remove the spices if you wish, but I think they look lovely. Just warn your guests not to eat them. 


 Whisk the mascarpone cheese and double cream together with the sugar until soft peaks form. Fold in the lemon zest. Serve the pears warm with a drizzle of syrup over top and a dollop of the mascarpone cream.

12 comments

  1. These pears look delicious and the photos...thanks

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  2. Thank you for sharing all this resipt's with us. It realy ligthen up my day!

    Hug from Lenemora (Norway)

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  3. Good pictures, thanks for sharing it.

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  4. That must be a delicious little combo..Isn't star anise the prettiest?:)

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  5. Can't wait to try this with some of the pears now ripe on our trees...mmm...delicious! Thank you, Marie! Happy week, dear friend--LOVE YA ((BIG HUGS))

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  6. ooooooooooo MY GOSH........THAT LOOK AMAZING !

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  7. Love pears Marie and this look awesome and delicious!!!! huggs!!! gloria

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  8. Lovely. Pears and mascarpone - double yum!

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  9. This looks wonderful! The mascapone and the peaches must be a great combo :)

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  10. My mouth is WATERING from your luscious photos! I don't ever buy fresh pears - they're always hard as rocks where I'm at and never seem to ripen enough to eat them. But I LOVE pears! Do you think any variety of apple would substitute nicely?

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  11. I discovered your Blog through Linderhof's blog link.

    I visited England about 15 years ago and saw London and York. I LOVED the food, I remember gorging myself even with Fish and Chips! I am from Nova Scotia originally and so I was treated well there. I loved every minute of my 10 day visit! This blog and your love of English food and listing recipes is just a treasure find for me! My husband and I are a fan of 'Two Fat Ladies' show (watched whole series) and loved the photography and the food! ha ha a fist full of butter in everything, no wonder we loved it! Well, back to real life, I am retired and have to watch diet, but what a splurge now and then to enjoy English food! I am printing some of your recipes on your Blog and look forward to reading more as I have time.

    LOVE your Blog! I live in Melbourne, Florida, USA

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  12. We just planted a Fig tree in our yard in Melbourne, Florida. We used to have one in the yard of our other house and loved the fresh figs picked right off the tree. I think this Mascapone sauce would be great with the fresh figs! As stated by another poster, 'double yum'!

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