Poached Pears with Almond Cream Recipe

Poached Pears with Almond Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Crisp pastry forms the base for a nicely spiced pear half in this elegant dessert.—Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York

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Poached Pears with Almond Cream Recipe

Prep: 55 min. Bake: 10 min. + cooling

Yield: 6 Servings

55 10 65

Ingredients

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
3 to 4 tablespoons cold water
POACHED PEARS:
3 large pears
2 cups white grape juice
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches), halved
2 teaspoons thinly sliced crystallized ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
ALMOND CREAM:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until mixture forms a ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into six circles with a 4-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 7-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Peel pears and cut in half lengthwise; remove cores. In a large skillet, combine the grape juice, cinnamon, ginger and allspice; add pears. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until pears are tender, turning once. Remove pears and set aside.
Combine cornstarch and water; stir into poaching liquid. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; discard cinnamon stick.
In a small bowl, combine the almond cream ingredients; beat until smooth. On each dessert plate, place a pear half on a pastry circle; drizzle with poaching liquid. Pipe almond cream over pears. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 533 calories, 31 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 47 mg cholesterol, 319 mg sodium, 56 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Originally published as Poached Pears with Almond Cream in Taste of Home August/September 2006, p49