August 2026

Sweet Weekend: Easy Fruit Desserts (1)

Winter is far from over here in South Africa, and there are few things better than a warm baked pudding when it’s cold outside. However, to feel a little less guilty about all the calories, we looked at how we can turn fruit into delicious desserts.

We are going to share a recipe with you every day of this weekend. (It’s a pity a weekend only has two days, right?)

Today it’s pears with a sauce, and in the next post we’re turning to the delicious guava. Both of these recipes are easy to make and finger-licking good.

Poached Pears with white wine:

These pears can be served either warm or chilled. So, for us here in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be topped with warm custard, and for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, feel free to scoop some ice cream over.

Ingredients for poached pears with white wine

Ingredients:

2 ripe but firm pears, peeled (leave the stems for a pretty presentation)

1½ cups water

125ml dry white wine

60ml sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise pod

4 strips of orange peel

4 strips of lemon peel

Method:

In a saucepan (remember the pears should fit snugly), combine the water, wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, orange peel and lemon peel. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

Combine all the ingredients (except for the pears)

Add the pears to the liquid. Simmer gently, without a lid, for 20 – 25 minutes, turning the pears occasionally for even cooking.

Add the pears and cook for 20 – 25 minutes

The pears are done when a knife slides in easily – they should be tender, but not mushy.

Poached pears

It’s now time to reduce the syrup. Remove the pears from the liquid. Continue cooking the liquid at a gentle boil until reduced by half (10 – 15 minutes).

Reduce the syrup

Strain the syrup over the pears, discarding the cinnamon stick, star anise and citrus peels.

Pour the syrup over the pears

Now it’s time to choose between ice cream or custard. And remember, don’t forget about the syrup – it’s too delicious to waste a drop.

Poached pears with either ice cream or custard (or maybe both)

See you guys tomorrow with a bowl of guavas – fresh from the farm (click here).