POACHED PEARS WITH CREME ANGLAISE RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the creme anglaise, rinse the inside of a non aluminum saucepan with water and shake out the excess.
• Pour in the milk and place over medium-low heat until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, about 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the whole eggs, egg yolk, and sugar; whisk just until blended.
• Gradually whisk in half of the hot milk, then pour the egg mixture back into the pan.
• Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, leaving a clear trail when your finger is drawn through it, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and let cool.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or for up to 2 days.
• Julienne the zest from the lemon and set aside (reserve the lemon for the juice).
• With an apple corer or a small, sharp knife, carefully core each pear from the bottom.
• Trim the bottoms so they stand upright.
• Leaving the stems intact, peel the pears.
• In a large non aluminum stockpot, combine the pomegranate juice, brown sugar, lemon zest, juice from the reserved lemon and cinnamon stick.
• Bring to boil over high heat, then reduce heat to simmer.
• Place pears on their sides in the liquid and cook, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, seed the pomegranates by cutting them in half (careful, the juice can stain).
• Fill a large bowl with cool water.
• Holding the cut fruit under the water, peel back the skin and membrane to release the seeds, allowing them to sink to the bottom of the bowl.
• Discard peels and membrane; drain and reserve the seeds.
• Carefully turn the pears over and cook until a small knife can be inserted easily into the bottom of the pear, 10 or 15 minutes longer.
• Once the pears are done, remove them from the cooking liquid and stand upright on individual serving plates.
• Remove and discard the cinnamon stick.
• Pour about 2 cups of the poaching liquid into a small saucepan; simmer over medium-low heat until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Mix orange liqueur and cornstarch together in a small bowl.
• Gradually whisk the orange liqueur mixture into the reduced poaching liquid; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring until the sauce thickens to a glaze, about 10 minutes.
• Pour a little of the glaze over each pear, then spread some of the creme anglaise around the bottoms of each one.
• Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and garnish with a mint sprig.
• Serve the remaining glaze alongside.

Steps:

• Cook half & half and vanilla bean in 1-quart saucepan over medium heat until mixture just comes to a boil (3 to 5 minutes). Remove from heat; remove vanilla bean.
• Meanwhile, stir together 1/3 cup sugar and egg yolks in small bowl with wire whisk until light and lemon-colored. Gradually whisk hot half & half into beaten egg yolk mixture; return mixture to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 160°F. and is thick enough to coat back of metal spoon (2 to 3 minutes). Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Combine 1/4 cup sugar, wine, cloves, cinnamon stick and lemon juice in 10-inch skillet. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved (3 to 4 minutes). Place flat-side of pear halves on cutting board; make 3 to 4 lengthwise cuts in each pear half, starting about 1/2 inch from stem and cutting to bottom. Place pears in wine mixture; spoon wine mixture over pears to prevent browning. Cook over medium heat until pears are fork tender (8 to 10 minutes).
• To serve, spoon about 3 tablespoons creme sauce onto each of 4 individual serving dishes; place pear halves in sauce. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.