Chai Spiced Poached Pears

Finally, a dessert you can feel “good” about eating while still satisfying your sweet tooth.

Lately, chai tea has been a must for me in the afternoon. I wanted to take those flavors and apply them to a healthy dessert.

The pears are naturally sweet and delicious. With a few added chai spices and a little bit of sugar, this is the perfect, light dessert.

Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger are the spices I chose to incorporate into my chai spice. These spices give the pears a warming glow.

Chai Spiced Poached Pear Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups dry white wine
• 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon cardamom pods, cracked but seeds intact
• 3 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 (1/2 inch) slices of ginger
• Pinch of Kosher salt
• 4 firm pears
• Creme fraiche for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, add the sugar, wine, lemon juice, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let sugar dissolve.
2. Add the pears and add a little water so that pears are completely submerged. Cover with the lid slightly ajar and cook until pears are tender, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes.
3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears to a separate plate. Turn up the heat on the poaching liquid and reduce to about 1 cup. Spoon the syrup over the pears and dollop with creme fraiche.

Serves 4