posted by elinorw 10-18-100 7:39 AM
Coffee Poached Pears
6 cups strong coffee
2 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
grated zest and juice of 2 large oranges
2 Tbl. chopped fresh ginger
1 (3") cinnamon stick
8 medium firm, ripe pears, peeled and cored
3/4 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
Garnish: Fresh orange segments, mint springs and whipped cream or ice cream, optional
In a large, wide, nonreactive saucepan, combine coffee, brown sugar, orange zest and juice, ginger and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 4 minutes. Add pears and return to simmer and gently cook until pears are cooked through and tender, testing pears with wood pick. Cooking time with vary greatly depending on type and size of pear used. When tender, remove from heat. Strain 1 c poaching liquid into small saucepan. Leave pears in their liquid while making sauce.
Dissolve cornstarch in orange juice. Add to small saucepan containing 1 c poaching liquid. Bring to simmer and cook until lightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Serve pears sliced and fanned in shallow bowls or on plates. Spoon some sauce over and around slices. Garnish with 2 or 3 orange segments, mint sprig and dollop of whipped cream, if desired