For Coquet

Refined dessert with caramelized pears and chocolate whipped cream

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6

A dessert that combines the delicacy of pears with the richness of red wine and a touch of chocolate is always an inspired choice for special occasions or personal indulgence. Caramelized pears in a red wine syrup, accompanied by airy whipped cream and chocolate, will transform any meal into an unforgettable culinary experience.

Necessary ingredients:

- 4-6 ripe pears (choose Williams or Bosc pears for perfect texture)
- 1 liter of red wine (choose a quality wine with fruity notes)
- 2-3 star anise (for an exotic aroma)
- 100 g whipped cream (a package of powdered whipped cream)
- 100 ml milk (at room temperature)
- 4-5 tablespoons of sugar (preferably brown sugar for a deeper flavor)
- Whipping cream stabilizer (optional, but recommended for a more stable texture)
- 50 g white and dark chocolate (for grating)
- Rum (optional, for an extra flavor)
- Fresh mint (for decoration and a touch of freshness)
- 4-6 wafers (as a crunchy base)

Step by step to achieve a perfect dessert:

1. Preparing the pears:
Start by carefully peeling the pears. Make sure to choose ripe but firm ones so they don’t break during cooking. Cut a little off the bottom of each pear to help them stand upright on the plate.

2. Boiling in wine:
In a large pot, add the red wine, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and star anise. Place the pot over medium heat and let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Then, add the peeled pears and let them boil for 20-25 minutes, or until they become tender but do not turn to mush. Turn the pears occasionally to ensure even cooking.

3. Caramelizing the sugar:
In a separate pan, add 4-5 tablespoons of sugar and let it melt over low heat. Be careful and stir gently to avoid burning the sugar. When it turns golden and has a syrupy consistency, you can use it to create decorative arrangements. You can pour the melted sugar onto a baking sheet, shaping it into various forms, or use a spatula to create spirals.

4. Preparing the whipped cream:
In a bowl, add the powdered whipped cream over the milk at room temperature. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients until the cream starts to thicken. Add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and, if you want a more stable texture, a packet of whipping cream stabilizer. Continue mixing until the cream becomes airy and firm.

5. Assembling the dessert:
Place wafers on plates. Spread them with chocolate cream, then add the pears cooked in red wine. Cover each pear with a generous portion of whipped cream and sprinkle grated chocolate (both white and dark) on top. Decorate with fresh mint and add the burnt sugar arrangement for a spectacular look.

6. Serving:
This dessert is served immediately to enjoy the contrasting textures of the soft pears, fluffy whipped cream, and crunchy wafers. You can accompany the dessert with a glass of red wine or an herbal tea infusion to complete the culinary experience.

Useful tips:

- Choosing pears: Choose pears of the same size for even cooking.
- Wine: Use a wine you would be willing to drink, as the flavors concentrate during cooking.
- Caramelizing sugar: Be careful with the sugar temperature; if it starts to turn too dark, it may taste bitter.
- Whipped cream: If you want an even more decadent dessert, you can add a few drops of vanilla extract to the whipped cream.

Nutritional information:
This recipe is a refined choice but also contains calories due to the sugar and whipped cream. One serving has approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the exact ingredients used. Pears are an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, while red wine brings antioxidants that can have health benefits when consumed in moderation.

Possible variations:
To add a personal touch, you can experiment with different flavors. For example, instead of star anise, you can use cinnamon or cloves to give the dessert a warmer aroma. You can also replace chocolate with a caramel sauce for a contrast of flavors and textures.

This dessert will not only delight your taste buds but will also leave an unforgettable impression on your guests. Enjoy!