Red Wine Stewed Pears

Craving something easy and delicious (that also has some major “wow”factor?) These spiced Red Wine Stewed Pears are right up your alley! They’re a wintertime favorite here in Holland, and I’m so excited to share them with you! Pears can be used in many different desserts, like this Pear-Peach Crisp. They’re actually more versatile than a lot of people give credit them for.

Red Wine Stewed Pears

The Dutch aren’t exactly known for their cuisine. I mean their national dish is literally mashed potatoes with kale with sausage thrown in. But when it comes to the dessert department, they know what they’re doing. There are stroopwafels, caramel waffle cookies that are the equivalent of heaven on Earth. Then there are the poffertjes, little-puffed pancakes that they cover in powdered sugar and served on especially cold days. Then, my friends, there are the stewed pears. Soaked in red wine and spiced with the flavors of Christmas, they like to make a big batch of these and set them on the table with dinner, dessert breakfast…whenever!

Around November, the Dutch supermarkets set out their special pear-stewing pears. These are really hard and can only be eaten after no less than 500 hours of simmering (okay, exaggerating a little, but you get the point). I like using slightly under ripe pears that are meant to be eaten raw for making these stewed pears. These don’t need to be cooked for as long (nor can they be cooked for long, as they will break down). This means you can whip them up in 20 minutes and eat them fresh, or set them in the fridge in their juices to continue soaking up the flavor.

To make these Red Wine Stewed Pears you’ll need:

• 6 conference pears
• 1 bottle (750 mL) dry red wine (I used Merlot)
• 2 cups water
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 vanilla bean

Things you might find handy:

• Large pot
• Vegetable peeler
• Nice serving tray
• Measuring cups

These stewed pears are a great holiday spiced treat whether you eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

I also found these Cinnamon Poached Pears made in the pressure cooker that you might enjoy!

For more holiday inspired desserts be sure to check out…

• Candy Cane Danish
• Chocolate Peppermint Trifle
• Homemade Peanut Brittle
• 40+ Pie Recipes, Crust Types, Spice Mixes, and Homemade Fillings

Red Wine Stewed Pears

Craving something easy and delicious (that also has some major “wow”factor?) These spiced Red Wine Stewed Pears are right up your alley!

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Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

25 minutes mins

Calories: 289

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 6 medium conference pears
• ▢ 750 ml dry red wine
• ▢ 2 cups water
• ▢ 3 whole cloves
• ▢ 2 each cinnamon sticks
• ▢ ½ cup brown sugar
• ▢ 1 each vanilla bean

Instructions

• Cut a small portion of the bottom of each pear off so they can sit upright. Peel the skin from each, then set aside.
• Set a large pot over medium heat and add the wine, water, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar. Split the vanilla bean down the middle, scrape the seeds into the pot, then throw the pods in the pot as well.
• Add the pears, making sure they’re mostly covered by the wine, then cover and let gently simmer for 20 minutes, or until pears are soft.
• Serve warm and fresh, or store leftovers in the wine juice in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 289cal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 8.5mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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