Dutch Poached Pears

These Dutch Poached Pears (or “stoofpeertjes” as they call them here in the Netherlands) are a delicious wintertime classic. Just stew peeled pears in wine and spices for a half hour and serve!

The Dutch aren’t exactly known for their cuisine. I mean their national dish is literally mashed potatoes with kale with sausage thrown in. But when it comes to the dessert department, they know what they’re doing. There are stroopwafels, caramel waffle cookies that are the equivalent of heaven on Earth. Then there are the poffertjes, little-puffed pancakes that they cover in powdered sugar and served on especially cold days. Then, my friends, there are the poached pears. Soaked in red wine and spiced with the flavors of Christmas, they like to make a big batch of these and set them on the table with dinner, dessert, breakfast…whenever!

Around November, the Dutch supermarkets set out their special pear-stewing pears. These are really hard and can only be eaten after no less than 500 hours of simmering (okay, exaggerating a little, but you get the point). I like to instead use slightly under ripe pears that are meant to be eaten raw (like conference pears) for making these poached pears. These don’t need to be cooked for as long (nor can they be cooked for long, as they will break down). This means you can whip them up in 20 minutes and eat them fresh, or set them in the fridge in their juices to continue soaking up the flavor.

Dutch Poached Pears

These Dutch Poached Pears (or "stoofpeertjes") are a delicious wintertime classic. Just stew peeled pears in wine and spices for a half hour and serve!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Desserts

Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Occasion: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day

Time: 30 minutes or less

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 25 mins

Servings: 6 pears

Calories: 274kcal

Author: Sarah Bond

5 from 1 vote

INGREDIENTS

• 6 conference pears
• 1 bottle dry red wine 750 mL, I used merlot
• 2 cups water 473 mL
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 100 g
• 1 vanilla bean

INSTRUCTIONS

• Prep: Cut a small portion of the bottom of each pear off so they can sit upright. Peel the skin from each, then set aside.
• Cook: Set a large pot over medium heat and add the wine, water, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar. Split the vanilla bean down the middle, scrape the seeds into the pot, then throw the whole bean in as well. Add the pears, making sure they’re mostly covered by the wine, then cover and let gently simmer for 20 minutes, or until pears are soft.
• Serve: Serve warm and fresh, or store leftovers in the wine juice in the fridge for up to two weeks.

NUTRITION

Serving: 1pear | Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 33g | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1.1mg

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