Pomegranate Pistachio Poached Pears

A healthy dessert doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste or beauty. Pomegranate Pistachio Poached Pears are a healthy, easy and elegant dessert that are perfect for a small dinner party or your family. Whole pears are gently simmered in pomegranate juice and pomegranate molasses. Warm spices are added to the bubbly liquid to infuse extra flavor into the pears. Pistachios and pomegranate seeds are added on top for a beautiful garnish and crunch!

Gently Poach Your Pomegranate Pistachio Poached Pears

When selecting pears for your Pomegranate Pistachio Poached Pears, choose ripe yet firm pears. Pears that are too ripe will quickly become mushy once cooked and may lose their shape. Peel the skin off your pears vertically, keeping the stem intact. The stem makes it visually appealing, while providing a handle to lift the pears once cooked. Arrange your pears in a pot, then add the pomegranate juice, cinnamon sticks and spices to the juice.

Bring liquid to a boil and then reduce to a low heat. Drizzle pomegranate molasses over the pears and continue simmering on low heat. Simmer pears for about an hour, rotating pears gently twice to get even color all around pear. While pears are simmering, prepare you garnish by placing your pomegranate seeds and toasted unsalted shelled pistachios in a bowl. Unsalted pistachios are a little harder to find, but preferred, unless you like a more sweet and salty flavor.

After about an hour, test pears by inserting a fork into one pear to see if tender and soft. Doneness will depend on how ripe your pears were initially, so some additional simmering may be needed. When the pears are ready, remove them from pot and place in individual serving bowls. Bring remaining liquid to a boil and reduce until juice thickens. Pour some of the reserved juice over pears. Top each Pomegranate Pistachio Poached Pear with fresh pomegranate seeds and toasted pistachios. Enjoy!