Carolyn Hennesy’s (Diane) Poached Pears In Sherry
ingredients
6 large Bartlett pears, firm, cut in half with seeds removed 2 to 4 Tbsp. salted butter 4 Tbsp. brown sugar 3 cinnamon sticks, broken 10 whole cloves 1 medium bottle of sherry, dry or sweet, or Marsala
directions
1. Using a large Pyrex baking dish, coat the inside with ½ Tbsp. of butter. 2. Lay the pears cut-face down, fitting together like puzzle pieces (they’ll shrink when baking). 3. Drop in cloves, cinnamon sticks and 3 Tbsp. of the brown sugar all around. 4. Pour sherry or Marsala into the dish until roughly ¾ of an inch of “hump” is showing above the liquid. 5. Rough-cut the remaining butter and place it between the pears. 6. Sprinkle each hump with more brown sugar. 7. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. As the pears shrink, the sherry/ sugar/butter mixture will reduce to bubbling and thicken when cooled. It can be served as a side dish or a dessert. It’s delish over ice cream. Although the alcohol is burned off, kiddies may not be fond of the sherry taste ... which means more for the adults!
What do you like about this dish?
“To me, it’s very ‘old world’. The ingredients are few and earthy and simple. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Mayflower passengers brought this over from across the pond. My great, great (how many?) grandfather, Benjamin Rush, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and I can envision this on his holiday table.”
Is it a staple on your Thanksgiving menu?
“It’s become a staple because I bring it every year; my family knows this is sorta my thing.”
Where does the recipe come from?
“I’ve been making it for years; I think an acquaintance gave me the recipe ages ago.”
Any tips for personalizing or tweaking this dish?
“Add or subtract quantities, i.e., if you really like cinnamon, pile it on; if you don’t, don’t. Other than substituting apples for pears, I wouldn’t vary the ingredients; it’s just one of those perfect, simple dishes.”
Does it make a good leftover?
“It’s actually kinda better the next day, when the flavors have really had a chance to marry. And the syrup itself over ice cream is just stupid good.”