I am so happy with this recipe. And even more so when the pictures came out exactly as I imagined them in my head. I won't write too much and let the pictures do the talking.
This is my healthy take on a traditional French dessert called Poires Belle-Helene or Poached pears and chocolate sauce. A perfect Autumn dessert here in Australia where pears are in season right now. I used Beurre Bosc pears from the markets - they are the best for cooking.
I will just finish by saying it is actually a very very easy desert to make and even prepare ahead and looks very elegant and impressive. I know what I will be making for my next dinner party!
Recipe for healthy poires Belle-Helene:
Ingredients:
- 6 cups of water;
- 1 cup of coconut sugar;
- 1/4 tsp of cinnamon;
- 1/4 tsp of nutmeg;
- 1 vanilla pod or 1/2 tsp of vanilla paste or essence;
- zest of lemon;
- 4 bosc pears;
- 1/2 cup of raw cacao;
- 1/2 cup of almond milk;
- 1/4 cup of maple syrup or rice malt syrup;
Instructions:
- In a large pot, add the water, spices, sugar and lemon and bring it to a boil to dissolve the sugar;
- In the meantime, peel your pears, cut a fine slice of the bottom of the pears so they stand up straight and with a knife remove the core of the pear as best as you can.
- Put them in the boiling water and reduce the heat to medium.
- Cover the pears with some baking paper cut in a circle to touch the water and pears.
- Poach them for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick can go through them easily.
- While the pears are cooking, make the healthy chocolate sauce by heating in a pan or in the microwave the almond milk, maple syrup and cacao mixed together.
- Remove from the heat and carefully remove the pears out of the liquid with a spoon.
- Present them in little plates or bowls and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce. Add almond flakes and whipped cream if you wish too.
