SPICED TEA POACHED PEARS

Spiced Tea Poached Pears image

Pears are among my favorite fall fruits. This lovely dessert makes them especially spectacular. Easy elegance at its best-and that's important around the holidays.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

7 cups water
1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
1/3 cup honey
9 orange-flavored black tea bags
12 medium pears
SAUCE:
1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, combine the water, brown sugar, cranberry sauce and honey. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea bags. Cover and steep for 5-8 minutes., Meanwhile, core pears from bottom, leaving stems intact. Peel pears; cut a thin slice from bottom to level if necessary. Remove and discard tea bags. Add pears to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until pears are tender. Remove pears with a slotted spoon and keep warm., In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups tea mixture to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes., In a small bowl, combine the creme fraiche, confectioners' sugar and orange zest. Place pears on dessert plates. Drizzle with syrup and serve with sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 13mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (26g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 1g protein.