I adore pears! Here they are gently simmered in saffron and spices, then covered in coconut cream and toasted flaked almonds. This recipe is vegan and vegetarian friendly, uses only 9 ingredients, and is make ahead friendly! 

My friend Greg will happily tell you that pears are one of the most underrated fruits. A perfectly juicy, slightly crisp pear just can’t be beaten when eaten whole and fresh, sliced into salads, or chopped into a fresh salsa. A little sweet, a little tart, and softer than an apple, there’s a lot to love about really great pears.

Sometimes though you might end up with a slightly hard, or mealy batch, and then you remember why pears are so often overlooked. Do not despair! Poaching will transform even the crunchiest, saddest pear into something incredibly moreish, silky and luxurious. Poached pears are easy to make, and look incredibly striking, standing proud on a plate at the end of a meal. These regal ladies benefit from being cooked in advance – perfect for dinner parties and meal prep! Win! If using these for breakfast meal prep feel free to reduce the sugar. These go fantastically with our Vegan Coconut Oats  Here we add earthiness with saffron and warming spices to give the sweet pears a subtle depth and complexity. If you don’t have saffron, simply add ¼ tsp of turmeric to the poaching liquid, which will help the pears get a lovely golden hue.

If you try this recipe, let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with. Happy cooking!