Breakfast – the most divine past-time anyone can partake in. There is nothing more exhilarating than replenishing an empty tummy that has gone all night without nourishment. Yes, I will admit, Breakfast and I are engaged in a passionate love affair. I dream in creamy Benedicts, crispy Hash Browns, decadent French Toasts, and fiery Bloody Marys.
So there is no worse torture than to wake up with a sharp jolt of realization that it is a Tuesday, you are late to your 7:30 meeting, and you will be having a Special K cereal bar for breakfast (that is, if you are lucky enough to make it to your desk by 7:25 to scarf it down).
On a typical weekday, that is my life. But oh, on the weekends, I indulge. I wake up to the warm sunlight peeking in from my windows, plop down on my couch with my latest page-turner book, and wait as my amazing Sous Chef makes me all the wondrously hearty breakfast items a girl could ever wish for.
So this past weekend, I decided to put my weekend laziness on hiatus and make something special for him too. I wanted to try something I’ve never done before, something light and healthy, but also elegant and delectable. I remember that my friend Viviane from Food and Style had posted a mouth-watering Poached Pear Sundae. So I took inspiration from her, made a couple of tweaks, and came up with this Maple-Riesling Poached Pears with Vanilla Yogurt & Maple Granola. Sounds like a mouthful doesn’t it? Well, at least it is a tasty mouthful!
The buttery pears were simply out of this world. The maple syrup and Riesling wine infusion lent richness to the naturally sweet pears, while bringing out its fragrant aroma. The creamy vanilla yogurt complemented the juicy fruit, and the maple granola added that satisfying crunch. This elegant dish is not only visually exquisite, it’s extremely versatile and can be easily transformed into a delectable dessert.
Ingredients:
- 2 Pears, cut in half and cored
- 3 cups Water
- 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup Riesling wine
- 1/4 cup Apple Juice
- 2-3 Tbsp Orange Juice
- A Handful of Granola (I found these amazing maple flavored ones to complement the maple syrup)
- 2-3 cups Vanilla Yogurt
Now, Patiently Poach
- Pour all the liquids (water, maple syrup, apple juice, wine, orange juice) into a pot on high heat.
- When it is gently boiling, put in the pears, flat side down and turn to a low-medium heat. Check to make sure the liquid infusion fully covers the pear. (If it doesn’t, add more of whatever you think is missing)
- Poaching will take approximately an hour. Be sure to turn the pears over every 20 minutes so they can cook evenly.
- When you see the mixture starting to bubble, you’re almost done! *Note: It is very important to remove the pears soon, because once the liquid evaporates, the pears will stick to the bottom and you’ll end up with burnt pears. One of mine charred on the edges!
- Let the pears cool, or if you like them hot, scoop the yogurt to cover the core, sprinkle with granola, and…Bon Appetit!
There are so many exciting variations for this:
- To transform this into a dessert, ditch the yogurt and go for the ICE CREAM! Mmmm
- Instead of granola, try golden raisins, crushed almonds, cranberries, or a mixture of all of them!
- Why not experiment with different flavors of yogurt – peach, blueberry, lime, or what about chocolate?
- Speaking of chocolate, I wonder how this would taste with Nutella!?
- Grab some of your amazing home-made pumpkin or apple bread, chop up the pears, and make this into a Pear Trifle with layers of wine-soaked bread, yogurt, and pears.
- Satisfy the low-brow in you with a heap of whipped cream, or dare I say…Cool Whip!
- Finally, you’ll notice that most fall fruit recipes have 2 spices – Cinnamon and Nutmeg. I didn’t use these because I was already using so many ingredients, but in hindsight, a little bit would’ve given some additional warm spice to the dish.
This sound terrific, the most decadent breakfast! I love poached pears and actually just wrote up a concept for a recipe with poached pears I’ll be trying tomorrow.
I could eat breakfast three times a day, and your pears look perfect. Love the alliteration, too!
I was too having pears as dessert last nite and definitely would have them again in this elegant version.
Just fabulous. This is a great comfort food. Very elegant.
So pretty! Delicious combination for breakfast!
Love this – not too sweet, and vanilla is delish. Plus I like the texture – the crunch of granola with the soft pear. mmmm! And I totally agree – breakfast and brunch on the weekend rules.
This is so simple and elegant. Yay!
Very delicious! What a nice addition using the Riesling!
This comment may be a little off topic, but I was wondering – what would you consider the perfect bloody mary? I have had a few different recipes, and it’s very hit and miss. Do you have one that you’d like to share? If so, pass it on so that I can try it! (mishi@therestofmylifesofar.net)
Please make this for me for breakfast! Looks so delicious!
Very pretty post, nutritious and healthy.
Poached pears are so good but I’ve haven’t had the chance to try cooking any yet, though looking at your recipe I’m starting to think I NEED to try making them myself 🙂
Thanks everyone!
Natasha – I’m looking fwd to seeing your post!
Robin – Thanks! The alliteration i guess is a by-product of my marketing career. Can’t resist the cheesy catch phrases!
TasteHongKong – I was so upset that I ate all the pears with the yogurt because I had a nice tub of Ben & Jerry ice cream in my freezer that I wanted to eat it with…oh well, just means I’ll have to make it again 🙂
Divina & Tania – Thanks! Your encouragement means so much to me!
Tasty Trix – Yes, I was actually afraid it would be too sweet at first, but the sweetness of the pear is so mild and works so well with the vanilla + granola, so I was super-happy!
Mathea – YAY!
Noelle – I think I can drink nothing but Rieslings forever and be a happy girl
Mishi – Have a couple of Bloody Mary recipes I love. Will send some over to you!
Alta – Come on over! You’ll have to squeeze into my 350 sq ft Manhattan studio, but I’m more than happy to make it for you 🙂
Cheah – Thanks! It’s so easy to overindulge on unhealthy food, so I like to use ingredients that are healthy.
Rochelle – You MUST! They’re really easy and low maintenance to make. The only hard part is checking up on them every 20 min and making sure you get them out right away when they’re done!
oh my look at how sweet and tender those pears look with that creamy oat filling yummmy!
oh this looks delicious! I love the granola addition!
My god! This is pure heaven. I can not even begin to stop my jowls from watering. MMMMM!
Poached pears are so wonderful, and the wine treatment adds a really nice touch, especially with the Riesling already a sweetness indeed.
Regards,
CCR =8~)
This looks so yummy! I love pears so this is something I would really love!
Gosh Shelly, this is such an elegance breakfast I’ve ever had! Believe it or not? I’m drooling over a breakfast. ha… Oh my, still a lot of mails need to run through. I’m sooo behind to all these blogging thing. I actually jumped queue to make your reply first LOL! Anyway, you have a nice weekend! Cheers.
Jessie – Thank you!
Gina – Thanks! I really enjoyed the crunch of the granola.
Cajun Chef Ryan – Yes, I choose the Riesling because of its wonderful sweetness. I also enjoyed drinking the rest of it!
Sanjana – Thanks so much! I agree – pears are very yummy; one of my favorite fruit.
Kristy – Thank you! I forget you are on the other side of the world, so it’s breakfast time for you! And I feel so flattered and honored you read mine first! 🙂 I agree it’s so hard to keep up with all the wonderful blog posts. Thanks, and you have a great weekend too!
This is a decadent way to enjoy breakfast! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Looks simple and delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Amen re. the breakfast love affair. When I worked at an office, I frequently forced myself to get up at five so I could have my coffee and a decent plate of food at relative leisure.
beautiful healthy dish! perfect for me and summer 😉
Karine & Mary – Thank you!
Chickenless Chick – I admire your will – I could NEVER bear to get myself up at 5pm. Not even a proper breakfast could entice me to do so!
Penny – Thank you! You must be in the lovely southern hemisphere 🙂 Aussie I bet! Jealous that you are experiencing summer!
I love your recipe and photos, they are making my mouth water. I also like the granola because it would give this a little crunch:)
Mmm, nice. Especially with the yogurt. Never thought of having poached pears for breakfast.
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