Brandy Pear Sorbet Recipes

PEAR SORBET

Steps:

• Cut the pears into 1-inch (3-cm) chunks. Put them in a large, nonreactive saucepan along with 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the water. Cover and cook over medium to high heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pears are cooked through and tender when poked with a paring knife.
• Transfer the cooked pears to a blender (you should have 2 cups, 500 ml, of purée) and add the remaining 3/4 cup (180 ml) water, sugar, and lemon juice. Purée until smooth.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Variation
• For Pear-Ginger Sorbet, add 1/4 cup (25 g) very finely chopped candied ginger to the sorbet during the last few minutes of churning.
• Perfect Pairings
• Serve Pear Sorbet with a scoop of Chocolate Sorbet (page 120) or Chocolate Ice Cream (pages 26 and 28).

BRANDIED PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix 1/3 cup brown sugar with water and lemon juice together in an ungreased baking dish until sugar is dissolved. Arrange pear halves, core side down, in the dish, and baste with the sauce. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake pears in the preheated oven for 20 - 25 minutes, or until fork-tender but not mushy.
• Meanwhile, mix nuts together with the remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons brandy, and the yogurt; set aside. In a separate bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Sprinkle in white sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons of brandy, or liqueur of choice, and gently whip a few strokes more.
• To serve, place one pear half in the center of each serving plate and fill core cavity with nut stuffing. Top with whipped cream. Serve warm.

PEAR VANILLA SORBET

Steps:

• Place the water in a medium saucepan. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and, using the tip of a paring knife, scrape the seeds into the water. Add the pods and the sugar. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add the pears and simmer 10 minutes, or until soft when pierced with a knife and translucent on the surfaces. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey, corn syrup or agave nectar, and lemon juice. Allow to cool. Remove the vanilla bean pods from the saucepan.
• Blend the pears with the syrup in a blender until smooth. Chill for 2 hours or overnight.
• Chill a container in the freezer. Using an immersion blender, blend the pear mixture for 30 seconds. Freeze in an ice cream maker following the manufacturer's directions. Transfer to the container and freeze for at least two hours to pack.

PEAR SORBET

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until pears are tender. Cool slightly. , Pour into a food processor; cover and process for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Cover and freeze for 4 hours or until firm. , Just before serving, process again in a food processor for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Spoon into dessert dishes.