Pears Poached in Tequila with Prickly Pear-Raspberry Sauce
3.8
(3)
For a light alternative to traditional Thanksgiving pies, tequila-poached pears (above) provide a southwestern twist. Popular in Mexico and Central and South America, prickly pear jelly is paired with raspberries for the sauce. Serve with the Lemon Bizcochitos and dessert wine, such as Muscat.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 14
Ingredients
For pears
For sauce
Preparation
Make pears:
Step 1
Using melon baller, remove core from bottom end of pears. Bring tequila and sugar to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add 7 pears. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook until tip of small knife pierces pears easily, turning occasionally, about 40 minutes. Transfer pears to large bowl. Repeat with remaining pears and poaching liquid. Return all pears to liquid; cool. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.)
Make sauce:
Step 2
Purée berries, jelly and liqueur in processor. Strain into medium bowl. Cover; chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.) Spoon 2 tablespoons sauce onto each plate. Stand 1 pear in center of each.