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poached pear parfaits

Poached Pear Parfaits

Coconut whipped cream flecked with vanilla beans, pears bathed in winter spices and a light sprinkling of pistachio dust make up these fantastic poached pear parfaits.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Christmas dessert with pears, pear dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 340 kcal
Author Denisse Salinas

Ingredients

For the poached pears:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1- inch piece fresh ginger thinly sliced
  • 2 whole star anise pods
  • 2 pears thinly sliced
  • For the parfait:
  • 1 14- ounce can coconut cream chilled overnight
  • ½ vanilla bean split and seeds removed
  • ¼ cup shelled pistachios

Instructions

  1. Stir sugar and water together in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add ginger and star anise and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved, about 1 minute. Stir in the pears and simmer until just tender, about 5 minutes.
  2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pears to a plate. Boil the poaching liquid over high heat until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. Discard the ginger and star anise and return the pears to the liquid, stirring to coat.
  3. To make the coconut whipped cream, chill a mixing bowl for about 10 minutes in the freezer. Scrape out the top, thickened cream from the cans and leave the liquid behind (reserve for another use).
  4. Place hardened cream in the chilled mixing bowl. Beat for 30 seconds with a mixer until creamy. Then add vanilla bean and mix for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pulse the pistachios in a coffee grinder or food processor until a fine powdered consistency is reached.
  6. Layer coconut cream and poached pears with a bit of poaching liquid in clear glasses. Top with pistachio dust.