Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce

I’m going to go out on a limb here and admit that I still like canned pears better than fresh ones.  That is unless you’re boiling said pears in wine and sugar.  Then those are better.

I know, I know – who really likes canned food better than fresh?  See, the thing is we grew up having canned pears occasionally for a side with lunch or dinner and I like them!  Simple.  And I do recall that, as Nate reminded me last night, fresh pears can feel funny on your teeth.  Sometimes the texture is great – and when it’s great, it’s GREAT.  But when it’s under- or over-ripe?  No way Jose.  I will not like that pear.

 

HOWEVER, about 2 months or so ago I went over to my wonderful friend Emma‘s house to hang out with her and her sweet baby boy and she made these poached pears for me.  While eating the pears it’s like the world turned into technicolor, birds started chirping, bees were buzzing, and you could hear the faint sound of waterfalls in the background.  And that, my friends, was without the chocolate.

The chocolate.  OH THE CHOCOLATE!  If you never make anything else in the entire world that I share with you on here, make this.  Well, and a handful of other things.  I won’t be picky – but especially if you’re a pear-hater or an on-the-fence-pear-hater, you have to try this.  It’s a last resort that I believe will surely make you change your mind.  And if I’m wrong?

 

Let’s just say I won’t be 😉

 

I will admit though the one thing I’m missing here is, as Emma recommended, vanilla bean gelato.  I was lazy and didn’t get any at the store and there’s really no excuse for that.  So I’m telling you now – get the gelato.  Or the ice cream.  Just get that extra little bit of cold creamy something and your tastebuds will dance!

POACHED PEARS WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE

• 2 under-ripe pears, sliced in half and cored (I left the skin on mine and loved it; however, if you don’t think you’ll like the skin then peel them as well)
• 1/2 cup pear juice (can be found in canned pears in juice OR on the juice aisle at Whole Foods)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Bring the pear juice, white wine, sugar, and water to a boil over medium heat, making sure that the sugar is dissolved completely.  Add the pears in face-side down and simmer for 4 minutes.  Turn and simmer another 4-6 minutes until tender.  Remove from the pan and place on a plate nearby.  Bring the liquid up to a boil again and boil until reduced to about 3/4 of a cup.  Remove from heat and whisk in the chocolate chips.  To serve plate up two pears, drizzle on as much chocolate sauce as desired, and most definitely serve with ice cream or vanilla bean gelato.

Pear lovers and pear haters can now unite under one banner – CHOCOLATE!