This elegant dessert features charred spiced pears accompanied by a unique smoky vanilla-cherry sauce. It’s a sophisticated blend of flavors that’s sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
For the Pears:
- 4 ripe but firm pears, halved and cored
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Smoky Vanilla-Cherry Sauce:
- 1 cup cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
To Serve:
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Prepare the pears: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Brush this mixture over the cut sides of the pear halves.
- Place the pear halves, cut side down, on the grill. Grill for about 4-5 minutes or until they have nice char marks and are slightly softened.
- Meanwhile, make the smoky vanilla-cherry sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cherries, water, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until the cherries are soft and the sauce has slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and liquid smoke. Let the sauce cool slightly, then blend it until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
- To serve, place two grilled pear halves on each plate. Drizzle with the smoky vanilla-cherry sauce.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to each serving.
- Garnish with mint leaves, if desired.
- Serve the Charred Spiced Pears with Smoky Vanilla-Cherry Sauce warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 250-300
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 2g
Prep and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings
- Serves: 4
This dessert not only tastes wonderful but also presents beautifully, making it perfect for special occasions or as an elegant finish to a gourmet meal. The combination of the warm, spiced pears with the rich, smoky sauce creates a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
