Tea Poached Pears with Earl Grey Ice Cream is a recipe for pears poached in a tea-infused syrup and paired with a creamy homemade Earl Grey Tea Ice Cream.
3large pearspeeled, halved and cored (or 6 small pears, peeled and kept whole)
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Instructions
For the Earl Grey Ice Cream
In a medium sauce pan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, 1/3 cup sugar, tea, vanilla beans and pod, and salt, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to stir, dissolving the sugar, and bring the cream mixture to about 175 degrees (about 8 minutes). Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and allow the tea infused cream steep for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a the bowl of a stand mixer furnished with the whisk attachment, and slowly add the sugar, whisking until the eggs are light in color and thick. When the cream finishes steeping, ladle 1 cup of the hot cream in a drizzle into the eggs while whisking to temper. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan, and gently cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for about 5-8 minutes. You will know the custard is ready when you are able to coat the back of your wooden spoon and run your finger down, leaving a line.
Prepare an ice bath. Strain the mixture into the prepared bowl of the ice bath. Let the ice cream custard cool for 1 hour in the ice bath, stirring periodically. The ice cream may then be churned immediately or, if you like, the following day (keep the mixture chilled in the refrigerator until then).
Pour the custard into the chilled bowl of an ice cream maker and churn for about 30 minutes. It may be served immediately or stored in an airtight container in the freezer.
For the Tea Poached Pears:
Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a kettle. As the water comes to a boil, combine the sugar, tea, cinnamon and dried cherries in a medium saucepan. Add the boiling water, and stir to dissolve the sugar. Place the pears into the liquid, then heat over medium heat, and simmer the pears for about 15-20 minutes or until tender. If you wish, place a plate over the pears to keep them submerged in the tea as it simmers.
When the pears are tender, remove and cool the pears. Bring the syrup to to a boil and let it reduce by half. Strain the syrup, and let it cool before chilling in the refrigerator. The pears and syrup can be prepared in advance; chill in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
To serve, place a pear half in a shallow bowl and pour some of the syrup over the top. Serve with a scoop of Earl Grey ice cream.