Stewed pears in the Dutch Oven
Stewed pears are a delicious dish consisting mainly of pears that are slowly cooked in a sweet and spicy syrup. The result is soft, juicy pears with a delicious flavour. Stewed pears are especially popular as a side dish or dessert in many European countries, especially in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France.
Origin of stewed pears
Although the exact origin of stewing pears is not known, it is believed that the dish has its origins in the Middle Ages. At that time, pears were mostly boiled to make them last longer. Cooking pears in sugar water with spices, such as cinnamon, cloves and star anise, not only gave them a sweeter taste, but also ensured that they could be kept longer.
Popularity stewed pears
Stewed pears are especially popular during the autumn and winter months, when pears are available in abundance and the dish goes well with the warm and savoury dishes often eaten during these seasons. They are often served as a side dish with game dishes, stews, stewing meat or poultry. Stew pears are also often served as a dessert, for example with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
In the Netherlands, stewed pears are a traditional dish often associated with festive occasions, such as Christmas. There are several types of pears that are suitable for stewing, of which the Gieser Wildeman pear is the most well-known in the Netherlands. This pear has a firm structure and keeps its shape well during cooking.
In general, stewing pears are loved for their sweet, spicy flavour and the possibility to adapt them to personal preferences. The dish is relatively easy to prepare and the syrup in which the pears are cooked can be adjusted to taste with different herbs and spices.
In short, stewing pears are a delicious dish with a long history in Europe. They are popular for their flavour, versatility and association with festive occasions.
Recipe Stew Pears in the Dutch Oven
Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
People: 8
Pan: VH3.8L, VH6.1L, VH8L, VH6.1L+, VH8L+
Ingredients:
- 8 stewing pears (e.g. Gieser Wildeman), peeled and the stalk left on
- 750 ml red wine
- 250 ml water
- 200 g sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
- Peel of 1 orange (without the white part)
- 1 vanilla pod, cut open
Barbecue supplies:
- A barbecue with a lid (preferably with the possibility of indirect grilling)
- Wood chips or cubes for smoke flavour (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the barbecue for indirect grilling with a constant temperature of around 150 degrees Celsius. If you want to use wood chips or cubes for extra smoke flavour, soak them in water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Place a Dutch Oven on the grid of the barbecue and in it add the red wine, water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel and the opened vanilla pod. Stir everything well until the sugar has dissolved.
- Carefully place the peeled stewing pears in the Dutch Oven, making sure they are completely covered with the liquid mixture.
- Place the lid on the barbecue and slowly simmer the stewed pears for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are soft and tender. Check doneness occasionally by pricking them with a fork.
- If you want to add extra smoke flavour, add soaked wood chips or cubes to the glowing coals according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Make sure the temperature of the barbecue remains constant and add extra charcoal if necessary to maintain the heat.
- Carefully remove the pan with the stewed pears from the barbecue and let them cool in the syrup.
- Serve the stew pears hot or cold, with a little syrup on top. You can eat them as a dessert on their own or combine them with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or any other desired addition.
Enjoy your delicious stewed pears prepared on the barbecue!
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