Pears poached in spiced red wine with chocolate sauce

Name: Pears poached in spiced red wine with chocolate sauce (Poires Richelieu sauce au chocolat)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: Serves: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 cardamom pods; 100 ml (3½ fl oz) double cream; 50 g (2 oz) butter; 1 bottle red wine (Claret/red Bordeaux is best); 115 g (4 oz) dark chocolate; 115 g (4 oz) caster sugar; 50 g (2 oz) caster sugar; 4 medium-ripe pears with stalks; 1 star anise; 4 cloves

Poires Richelieu sauce au chocolat

Preparation info

Serves:
4

Difficulty
Medium
Ready in
50 min

Appears in

New Bistro

By Fran Warde

Published 2009

About

Do not rush this recipe as leaving the pears to steep overnight in the wine intensifies the flavour. The chocolate sauce just adds a level of true French decadence!

Ingredients

4 medium-ripe pears with stalks
1 bottle red wine (Claret/red Bordeaux is best)
4

Europe
France
Aquitaine
Dessert
Vegetarian
Mediterranean
Gluten-free

Method

Peel the pears carefully, keeping the stalk intact: I find it’s best to peel from top to bottom in one movement as it helps to show off their beautiful shape. Place the pears in a saucepan, cover with the wine and add the spices and sugar. Place a sheet of greaseproof paper on top of the pears and a lid that is slightly too small for the pan. (This helps to keep the pears submerged in the wine.