Belle-Hélène Pears Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 ripe pears
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted hazelnuts

Directions

1. Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear to help them stand up.
2. In a medium-sized pot, bring the water, sugar, vanilla bean and cinnamon stick to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the pears. Let the pears simmer for 15-20 minutes, until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
3. Remove the pears from the pot and let them cool to room temperature.
4. In a double boiler or microwave, gently melt the dark chocolate chips. Once melted, stir in the heavy cream to create a smooth, shiny ganache.
5. Place each pear on a dessert plate. Pour the warm chocolate ganache over each pear and sprinkle the chopped roasted hazelnuts on top.

Serving Suggestions

These Belle-Hélène pears are delicious on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They are perfect for fall or winter holidays, or any special occasion.

Verdict

The combination of sweet poached pears, rich chocolate ganache and roasted hazelnuts make for a perfect dessert. It’s a classic French dessert that is sure to impress your guests.