Skip to main content

Compote of Pears in Spiced Port

In this light and elegant dessert, the pears turn a beautiful rosy color from the wine. The slightly tart taste of lemon topping drizzled over the pears and the crunch of toasted pistachios complete the dish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1/2 cup light agave nectar
1/2 cup ruby port
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
2 long strips of lemon rind
6 cups water
6 ripe but firm pears such as Bartlett or Anjou, peeled and cut in half lengthwise
Lemon Tofu CrĆØme (page 114) (optional)
1/2 cup lightly toasted pistachios or hazelnuts, chopped, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large pot, combine the agave nectar, port, cinnamon, vanilla bean, lemon rind, and water. Bring to a boil. Add the pears, decrease the heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork.

    Step 2

    Remove the pears from the cooking liquid with a slotted spoon and set aside. Continue to simmer the liquid for about 5 minutes, or until reduced to about 1Ā 1/2 cups and of a syrupy consistency.

    Step 3

    Serve the pears either warm or cold with some port sauce and a drizzle of lemon tofu crĆØme. Sprinkle with toasted pistachios.

Reprinted with permission from Baking with Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener by Ania Catalano. Copyright Ā© 2008 by Ania Catalano; photography Ā© 2008 by Lara Hata. Published by Celestial Arts, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. Ania Catalano is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet School of Cooking in New York and the owner of the Gourmet Whole Foods Catering and Cooking School in Milford, Connecticut.
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Not stuffed shells. But not not stuffed shells either.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
A veg-forward main or gets-along-with-everyone side.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.