The Journal

Our space to share the stories of women we love, style, travel tips, and more.

Frank & Eileen
Frank & Eileen

FRANCESCA'S RED WINE POACHED PEARS WITH CHOCOLATE CREAM

INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS

Red Wine Poached Pears

  • ½ cup cane sugar
  • 4 pears (anjou or bosc-bartlett will dissolve horribly)
  • 1 piece of orange peel
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • Chocolate Cream

  • ¼ cup mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • ¼ cup good quality dark chocolate
  • Red Wine Poached Pears

  • ½ cup cane sugar
  • 4 pears (anjou or bosc-bartlett will dissolve horribly)
  • 1 piece of orange peel
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 cardamom pods
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • Chocolate Cream

  • ¼ cup mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • ¼ cup good quality dark chocolate
  • INSTRUCTIONS
    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Steep your spices in your red wine in your pan of choice-ideally one that will fit your pears snugly at an angle. Heat on a medium-low
    2. Once hot, begin to peel your pears and submerge them alongside one another in the hot wine. Turn pears every 5-10 minutes so that every side is coated and cook for 20-25 minutes. If the pears still seem pale, keep submerged after removing from heat and continue turning for as long as you'd like
    3. Once ready to serve, melt your chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over simmering water
    4. Set aside to cool slightly whilst you whip your mascarpone and cold cream in a stand mixer
    5. Once you have achieved soft peaks, add your melted chocolate and fold in until thoroughly combined. It’s best to assemble this as you’re ready to serve, as refrigerating will harden the chocolate and give you more of a truffle-like consistency
    6. Serve the pears individually, placed over a dollop of chocolate cream. Topping with some salted caramel or toasted nuts is a delicious bonus
    1. Steep your spices in your red wine in your pan of choice-ideally one that will fit your pears snugly at an angle. Heat on a medium-low
    2. Once hot, begin to peel your pears and submerge them alongside one another in the hot wine. Turn pears every 5-10 minutes so that every side is coated and cook for 20-25 minutes. If the pears still seem pale, keep submerged after removing from heat and continue turning for as long as you'd like
    3. Once ready to serve, melt your chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over simmering water
    4. Set aside to cool slightly whilst you whip your mascarpone and cold cream in a stand mixer
    5. Once you have achieved soft peaks, add your melted chocolate and fold in until thoroughly combined. It’s best to assemble this as you’re ready to serve, as refrigerating will harden the chocolate and give you more of a truffle-like consistency
    6. Serve the pears individually, placed over a dollop of chocolate cream. Topping with some salted caramel or toasted nuts is a delicious bonus

    Francesca is photographed wearing Eileen Casual Cotton in White.

    Thanks for joining us 'in the kitchen with' Francesca McConchie!

    To discover Francesca's confections and order your Cake of Dreams:

    cakeofdreams.co.uk
    @cakeofdreams

    Discover More