Cider Spiced Poached Pears
Lovely autumnal flavours infuse this simple, warming wintery dish that makes a wonderfully healthy dessert or breakfast addition.
Spices not only have lovely warming, grounding aromatic flavours, but they also have many health benefits as well:
Cinnamon ~ blood sugar balancing + anti-fungal + anti-bacterial + digestive stimulant.
Ginger ~ anti-inflammatory + soothing digestive + anti-viral + circulation stimulant.
Nutmeg & Mace ~ anti-bacterial + anti-inflammatory + reduce anxiety + brain-memory stimulant.
Clove ~ digestion + anti-microbial + anti-inflammatory + analgesic-numbing.
Allspice ~ anti-fungal + digestive tonic + anti-septic + nervous system stimulant.
Cardamon ~ uplifting + antispasmodic + calming + antibacterial + anti-inflammatory.
- Serves4 - 8
- Cooks in 20 - 30 mins
- Prep time 10 mins
- Anti Inflammatory
Recipes have ingredients with anti-inflammatory nutrients and avoid common inflammatory foods like sugar, gluten, dairy and processed food. A whole food diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help relieve symptoms of inflammation within the body. Inflammation is at the root of most disease = dis-ease.
- Antiviral
Recipes have foods, herbs & spices with antiviral properties. Antiviral herbs have compounds that fight viral infections and boost our immune system. Antiviral foods and herbs examples ginger, garlic, oregano, thyme, mint, cinnamon, clove, echinacea, elderberry.
- Grounding
Spices, herbs and foods that are grounding, warming and calming with earthy rich tones and flavours. These foods help the body relax are generally rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial nutrients.
- Herbal Medicinal
Herbal Medicinal Recipes have healing food ingredients with medicinal properties. Culinary & medical plants have properties that benefit our health.
- Salt Oil Sugar Free
Ingredients
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Method
Cider Spiced Poached Pears
PLACE all ingredients – except pears in a medium-sized saucepan; bring to a boil, lid on, and simmer for 2-3 mins.
CUT pears in half lengthwise down the middle.
USING a spoon, melon baller or small knife – scoop out the centre seeds.
PLACE pears into the spice-infused hot apple cider in a single layer. Sitting half upright is ok; the pears should be ¾ covered by liquid; if not, add a little more water or cider.
SIMMER covered 10-15 mins until pears are tender but firm ~ al dente’. Once tender, turn off the heat. Set aside, leaving the pears to cool and infuse in the spiced cider for at least 10 mins up to 40 mins before serving.
SERVE place poached pears in a bowl, garnish with cinnamon sticks and pour over some cider.
SAVE any leftover spiced cider and make it into a drink or use it to infuse your muesli, cook your steel-cut oats or oatmeal, rice pudding, poach more fruit or in a baking recipe.
Serving Ideas
warm in a bowl
with yoghurt, cream, ice cream
with Pecan & Almond Cookies
topped with Vanilla Maple Granola.
Pumpkin Spiced Salted Almond Cookies
serve with chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding
serve with Cider & Spice Roasted Nuts
Chef tips + Ingredient Swaps + Ideas
SWAP Pears for Apples – cooking time will vary.
ADD dried fruit like dates or raisins, or prunes if you want to add a little sweetness without adding sugar.
ADD shredded fresh ginger and eat the ginger pieces with the pears.
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