Simmering chunks of pears in water spiced with fresh ginger, ground cinnamon and mixed spice makes them into something special. No added sugar is needed as the pears are sweet enough on their own.
Eat them warm for dessert, or cold for breakfast. (I LOVE them with plain Greek yogurt and some roughly chopped hazelnuts or almonds for crunch).
The ginger can be as strong as you like. I personally am a huge fan of ginger, and find it helps with nausea – so this was a breakfast I ate a lot in my first trimester when suffering from morning sickness. I leave the chunks of ginger large so I can chew them and release their fiery bite. If you aren’t as fond of ginger, then cut it finely or grate it. If you wanted a mere hint of ginger you could leave the chunks big and take them out just before you want to eat them. (This is something I do when making them primarily for Mini Jones.)
The poached pears are also very toddler friendly: Mini Jones really enjoys them. In fact, there have been a number of occasions when he will finish a bowl – my bowl – whilst my back is turned.
And one more reason I love these healthy ginger poached pears: they are a really good recipe for using up hard or sad looking pears sat in the fruit bowl. If they are underripe then they will require a slightly longer cooking time; super ripe and soft pears may require a little less cooking.
How long will the poached pears keep?
The pears will keep up to three days in a covered container in the fridge. You can also freeze them in individual portions and defrost in the fridge or on the side overnight.
What to Serve with these Poached Pears?
Eat on their own, top with yogurt of your choice, add a handful of granola or some chopped nuts. They are also delicious warm, with a scoop cold ice cream for a healthy-ish dessert 🙂
If you are after more healthy breakfast ideas, have a look at this refreshing Mango Lassi Bow, this Raspberry Bircher Muesli or this easy Muesli recipe.
Ginger Poached Pears
Ingredients
- 2 small Pears peeled and cored
- 2 c | 500ml water
- 2 cm fresh ginger peeled and sliced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp mixed spice
Instructions
- Roughly chop the pears.
- Add them to a small to medium saucepan with the water, sliced ginger, ground cinnamon and mixed spice.
- Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and simmer for 30 minutes, until the pears are soft
- (If you are using very unripe and hard pears, they make take longer.)
- Leave to cool in the pan – the pears will absorb some of the liquid.
- Either serve warm or cold.
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Chloe says
These sound absolutely divine and just perfect for a cold night! Can’t wait to give these a try 🙂
Robyn says
Thanks Chloe, they are warming and comforting, but without the guilt!
Sarah says
I’ve made cinnamon poached pears before but never tried them with ginger, these look delicious! Will have to give them a go.
Robyn says
Thankyou Sarah, the ginger works so well in them 🙂
Sylvie says
Poached pears have been on my to do list this week (oh so perfect with this gloomy weather!) and I love the idea of adding ginger to them. Will absolutely try it too!
Robyn says
Thankyou Sylvie! Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Jaimie says
I have a go-to poached pear recipe that I make every year when the weather cools down, but I think I might replace its next run with this! The addition of ginger just sounds amazing, I can’t wait to try.
Robyn says
Thanks Jaimie, it is a lovely way to eat pears when the temperature dips.
Sally says
These sound so perfect and easy too. Would love them warm with some vanilla ice cream for dessert – yum!
Robyn says
That is the perfect pairing Sally!
Andrea says
Yum. YUM!!! I LOVE poached pears and the flavours in this one are perfect. I want some right now!
Robyn says
Thanks Andrea! The ginger goes so well with pears!