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Pot-roasted pears with vanilla

18/7/2014

 
Pot roasted Australian pears by Liz Posmyk, Good Things
Peter and I have been celebrating the bounty of new season Australian pears over the last few weeks. Indeed, pears have been on my shopping list every single day. I so enjoy slicing into one mid afternoon for a snack, knowing that it's going to be just perfect to eat. That slightly fragrant and delicately sweet fruit, ripe and succulent. Oh my! Even more so, I love teaming them with spices like vanilla, cinnamon, saffron or bay, transforming them into sublime desserts.

I'd been seeking out more pear-based recipes and just in time the industry body for Aussie pear growers has published a second cookbook, Rediscover Australian Pears volume 2. It was with great delight that I took delivery of my copy from the postman last week. I've been working my way through the 66 recipes for snacks, lunch, dinner and dessert and thought I'd share one of our favourites, so far, with you.

POT-ROASTED PEARS WITH VANILLA
2 tablespoons butter, cubed
1 vanilla bean, split
3 tablespoons caster sugar
90mls natural apple juice
4 firm pears of good size
juice of half a lemon
cream or sour cream, to serve

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C. Peel and core the pears, and cut them into quarters. Place them gently into a bowl and sprinkle with some fresh lemon juice (to stop them from turning brown). Place the cubed butter into the bottom of a heavy based cast iron pan (or a stove to oven fry pan). Scrape the vanilla bean and add to the pan, along with the sugar and the apple juice. Then layer the pears over the mixture. Place the pan on the stove over a medium to high heat and bring it to simmering point, spooning some of the liquid over the pears. Cover with a double thickness of aluminium foil, or a tight fitting lid. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the pears for half an hour. 

Remove the foil fro the pan and gently turn the pears. Continue to roast for 20-30 minutes longer, until the pears are golden and the liquid has reduced. Remove the vanilla bean. Serve with dollops of cream or sour cream. Serves 4. 

Note: this is my adaptation of chef Andrew McConnell's recipe from pp102 of Rediscover Australian Pears volume 2. I used less sugar than the original recipe and suggested the use of lemon juice to prevent the fruit from browning. I also suggest natural apple juice, with no additives for the recipe.
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Pot roasted pears by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Australian Pears, the industry body for Aussie pear growers, has united for the second time, talented chefs and cooks to honour Australian pears with a delectable collection of recipes. Australian culinary legends including Maggie Beer, Guy Grossi, Stephanie Alexander and Lyndey Milan are among the contributors to the book.

Rediscover Australian Pears volume 2
 is available free when you purchase a kilogram of pears from Woolworths Supermarkets. The book will also be available from selected retailers from 28 July priced at $12.95. With such an assortment of beautiful recipes, I suggest you get your hands on a copy pronto! 
Rediscover Australian Pears Volume 2
If you love pears as much as I do, you might also enjoy my recipes for slow cooked pears with cinnamon, bay and vanilla; my vanilla and saffron pear compote; and my vanilla poached pears with simple salted butter caramel sauce. Yum! Thank you to Australian Pears for sending me a copy of the book. I love it!

Tell me dear readers, do you enjoy pears when they are in season? What's your favourite way of eating or cooking them?
Anne link
16/7/2014 07:48:34 pm

Liz, this sounds gorgeous. I love pears too and the book looks like one I should definitely get my hands on.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:59:37 pm

Hi Anne, absolutely to both!

Mrs Mulberry link
16/7/2014 09:56:30 pm

These pears look beautiful Lizzy, I am in love with all of the beautiful pears in season at the moment. True winter treats xxx

Lizzy
19/7/2014 12:59:50 pm

Hi Ela, so true... xo

KRISTA R BJORN link
17/7/2014 12:31:15 pm

I absolutely adore pears, Liz, and yours look divine!!! My favorite way to prepare them is roasted with caramel sauce and toasted walnuts. :-)

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:00:05 pm

Oh Krista, that sounds delicious!

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
17/7/2014 12:47:06 pm

Beautiful pears, they must be so fragrant with the vanilla. A wonderful dessert!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:00:17 pm

They are indeed, Laura!

e / dig in hobart link
17/7/2014 01:19:31 pm

the pears are so good this year - i have renewed my love of them! i haven't gotten around to cooking with them yet (just eatign them) but this looks like the perfect recipe.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:00:43 pm

Hi Elizabeth... they are particularly good this year! Do try this recipe too.

David Scott Allen link
17/7/2014 01:38:02 pm

I love pears and vanilla, and your compote with the saffron sounds sublime! I can't wait to try it!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:00:57 pm

David, thank you, it sure is!

Eha
17/7/2014 01:57:26 pm

Altho' my meals usually end with the main course, I do like the idea of this slightly different way of making a winter dessert and shall make this a yum weekend task . . .

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:01:12 pm

Eha, this is so very good, I do hope you try it xo

celia link
17/7/2014 02:26:12 pm

Looks and sounds divine, Lizzy! xx

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:01:25 pm

Celia, it really is xox

Maureen link
17/7/2014 03:26:37 pm

Good grief that looks so good. I would love these pot roasted pears.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:01:41 pm

With a nice dollop of cream, yummy!

Nancy@SpicieFoodie link
17/7/2014 04:58:54 pm

This is such a gourmet recipe but yet still easy to prepare. The smells must have been amazing. Wonderful recipe, thanks for sharing.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:02:12 pm

Hi Nancy, so true.. it really is gourmet and yet so simple and ever so tasty! Thanks for stopping by xo

Whispering Gums link
17/7/2014 07:37:28 pm

Looks great ... you can never have too many baked/roasted pear recipes. This sounds perfect for my patchwork group, for which we always do a dessert at the end of an evening of sewing (oops, talking with a bit of sewing!).

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:02:34 pm

Hi there... yes, do give it a try... and thank you for stopping by.

ela@GrayApron link
17/7/2014 09:08:42 pm

I wouldn't mind enjoying them the way you did...looks perfectly fine to me!

ela h.

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:02:44 pm

Ela, this is delicious!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
17/7/2014 10:08:20 pm

I've made this recipe from his cookbook and it's lovely!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:02:58 pm

It is, isn't it Lorraine : )

Gourmet Getaways link
18/7/2014 12:14:27 am

Juicy, refreshing and sweet! Yummy pears!

Julie
Gourmet Getaways

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:03:08 pm

Oh yes, yes yes!

Choc Chip Uru link
18/7/2014 02:01:09 am

Pears are underrated - these look so delicious :D
I want some ice cream with them!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:03:24 pm

That's so true CCU!

InTolerant Chef link
18/7/2014 05:41:06 pm

Gorgeous Liz! I'd much rather have a pear than an apple any day- yummo xox

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:03:40 pm

I like both, Bec, but this one is outstanding!

Emma @ Bake Then Eat link
18/7/2014 10:48:14 pm

I love pears when they are in season, I tend to just eat them as they are but I love this idea. I do like them paired with dark chocolate if I do cook them down they make great turnovers!

Lizzy
19/7/2014 01:03:52 pm

Oh how yummy Emma!

Hema
19/7/2014 08:54:42 pm

Hi Liz,
I too am enjoying the season of pears out at the moment :) and this recipe seems one of the perfect ways to enjoy them...with a dollop of soy vanilla ice-cream and sprinkling of almond praline!
Hema

Lizzy
22/7/2014 10:30:51 pm

Hi Hema darling... this is a really beautiful recipe.... I can imagine it would be lovely with the soy vanilla ice cream and the praline! Thank you for popping in to say hello xo

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
22/7/2014 11:06:59 am

Pears are underrated I think. I can imagine how delicious your house smelled while these were slowly roasting.

Lizzy
22/7/2014 10:31:06 pm

Thank you Jennifer, I agree with you : )

kellie@foodtoglow link
24/7/2014 02:09:20 am

This is already making me think of Autumn and all of those yummy flavours and textures. Quite a feat considering it is in the 80s and my tomato plants are heavy with fruit!

Jamie link
28/7/2014 08:59:43 pm

Liz, these are gorgeous and I am jumping for joy (really) that you cooked these in apple juice! I am just imagining the flavor the juice adds to the pears which I normally am not crazy about. This is a beautiful recipe and ideas for how to use them, both sweet and savory, are rushing through my mind. Now to wait for pear season!


Comments are closed.

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
Excerpts may be used provided that full and clear credit is given. Thank you.


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