Ingredients:
- 4 ripe but firm pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)
- 4 cups water
- 4 chai tea bags or 4 tablespoons loose chai tea blend
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1/2 cup honey
- Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
- Optional: Chopped nuts or mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pears:
- Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact if possible. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear to create a flat base, ensuring they stand upright in the poaching liquid.
- Poaching Liquid:
- In a medium-sized pot, combine 4 cups of water, chai tea bags or loose tea, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, allowing the spices and tea to infuse the water.
- Poach the Pears:
- Once the poaching liquid is simmering, gently place the prepared pears into the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the pears simmer for 15-20 minutes or until they are tender but not mushy. Check the doneness by inserting a fork into a pear; it should go in easily.
- Sweeten with Honey:
- Stir in the honey, allowing it to dissolve into the poaching liquid. Adjust the sweetness to your liking, adding more honey if desired.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once the pears are poached to perfection, carefully remove them from the liquid and let them cool slightly. You can also chill them in the refrigerator for a more refreshing dessert.
- Drizzle with Honey:
- Place each poached pear on a serving plate. Drizzle them with a bit of the poaching liquid and an additional touch of honey for extra sweetness.
- Optional Garnishes:
- Serve the chai-spiced poached pears on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Garnish with chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, or a few mint leaves for a visually appealing and flavorful finish.
Serve these chai-spiced poached pears as a delightful and fragrant dessert. The combination of chai tea, cinnamon, cloves, and honey creates a warm and comforting flavor profile that complements the natural sweetness of the pears.
