Red wine spiced pears with vanilla ice cream. Let me tell you, heaven. This is what the artist guys with those cocky scarves eat. I bet. The recipe is based on a BBC one - but added a few details that they left out! Found to be fool proof.
Now I'm not a big sweets guy myself. In my teens I was a bit of a bigger sized boy who then due to developed allergies had to cut it all out and go plain boring with my meals. Benefit? Got lean. Side-effects? Absolute mad cravings for few special desserts and foods.
One of the things that I really found out that I loved was this joyride of tastes. On top of that, I was glad to know that it is easy as anything to prepare. So all you three fingered friends, this is for you as well. I know how you feel - I suck with cooking too.
Okay, so this recipe right here will be EASY. Okay? It serves about 6....well in my case 1-2 people to be fair. Preparation time is about 20min roughly. For me this is like 45 with all the hassle. But no stress, you'll get there in time before the hot date arrives. On top of that, it is actually pretty healthy I guess - if you just stay calm with the vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients are:
1 vanilla pod / stick / cane - whatever you call it - just google.
1 bottle red wine (don't go crazy man, buy reasonably priced nectar - you will cook it anyways so all the alcohol is gone)
220-230g caster sugar
1 cinnamon stick, sliced into halves
fresh thyme (not actually compulsory)
6 peeled pears
- buy the bucket of that vanilla ice cream! preparation time = depends on your spoon hand.
THE REAL DEAL:
Okay, so you been to the shop and got everything. It's 7pm. Your date is arriving in 30minutes. If you are rushing late and feel like your not gonna make it in time. Invite her to drink some wine (buy two bottles maybe?) and chat and tell about her/his day. People are found to be interesting when they are interested in other people too. So let the person talk and keep nodding. And finish off the pears!
Way to go
Halve the vanilla sticks lengthways, take out the black seeds and put in a wide saucepan with the wine, sugar, cinnamon and thyme. Cut each piece of pod into three long thin strips, add to pan, then lower in the pears.
Poach the pears, covered, for 20-30 mins - and hey, make sure they are covered in the wine. The cooking time depends on the ripeness of the pears – aim for tender all the way through, when pierced with a cocktail stick or such. You can make these up to 2 days ahead and chill. BUT, the hot pears vs. cold ice cream adds an interesting and professional touch!
Take the pears from the pan, then boil the liquid to reduce it by half so that it’s syrupy. Serve each pear with the cooled syrup, a strip of vanilla, a piece of cinnamon and vanilla ice cream in the form you wish. The good rule it to use balls with round plates, or likewise cut the ice cream into squares if have trendy square plates in your household.
Eat, chat, laugh and enjoy. The rest is up to your personality and charisma. Good luck!
Ps. I tried this recipe with House of Cards and Gravity Falls as well. It does work. With or without other people.