Celebrating Simplicity: Poached Pears in Tea Syrup

It’s the holiday season, friends! It may be the most overused, tired, and obvious description at this point to say the holidays will feel different and unusual this year, but it’s unavoidably true. That isn’t to say, though, that the holidays can’t feel festive, warm, loving, and filled with light.

Simple and elegant, poached pears make for a luscious sweet ending for any occasion, quiet to bustling. Coupled with a delicious herbal tea syrup, results are nothing short of sublime. Strong brewed ORGANIC INDIA tea, my favorite, provides an aromatic and flavorful poaching liquid that reduces to a smooth finishing glaze brimming with the potency of Tulsi (Holy Basil) and other robust adaptogenic herbs. We may as well add in wellness potential wherever we can, now of all times, right?

I know I’m in good company in a longing and necessity to embrace the season with the spirit of simplicity. Well, that’s not entirely true. When it comes to light displays and decoration, we’re all in for lots of cheer, and early. Had it not been for the kitchen work this fall, Chef F and I would have begun decking the halls pre-Halloween, or at least just after. Dave would have put the kibosh on the tree until his Thanksgiving-birthday, but the rest of the house would have been bedazzled with ornamentation before that much like Chef F’s bedroom was.

Outside of spreading light with lights, though, this year we’re all about paring back. It’s always wise, but especially so this year, to clear the clutter from our physical, mental, and emotional spaces where we can. Come back to what is most true and meaningful in our lives, right now and always.

In a similar vein, I finally watched The Social Dilemma this past week. I’d been resisting for quite some time. I grilled so many friends who enthusiastically attested to its importance that I built up a sort of distaste for the idea. By presenting my presumptions of what I’d discover when watching, I felt like I already knew it all. Actually, that was the mainstay of my assumptions--that The Social Dilemma would a whole lot of what we all already know, but presented in such a way that may be starkly riveting, and better at compelling us to make personal changes. 

I won’t delve into a whole review in what’s already a long loose tangent on a food post (although I could have done without what felt like somewhat tired, dramatized interludes), but along the theme of simplifying, there are a few things that may be worth noting if just to remind myself. First, I’ll be the first to own up to my own hypocrisy. While the film played, I was on the bike trainer, at one point responding to comments on Instagram. Social media is so embedded in our lives, it’s not going to go away. Yet even in the midst of pandemic, we owe it to ourselves and others to be guarded about the impact it has on our psyches and others’. At least carefully intentional with our usage. Speaking of utility, one of the most striking statements was that the only industries that label their consumers ‘users’ are drugs and social media. Another was the description and explanation of social media campaigns as being disinformation-for-profit. Perhaps most hard-hitting is the alarming skyrocketing of suicide in girls ages 10-14 aligned with social media use. Suicide at age 10 in otherwise comforting circumstances is a thing!? If we’re not all horrified by that we’re really losing our humanity.

Our little homemade-ornament tree is a favorite tradition, and how precious is Chef F’s tooth gap?

Despite sometimes feeling lonely through the waves of uncertainty and closed doors this year, I realize that it’s again time to figure out the personal boundaries with media, and where possible I should be fairly strict in adhering to them. For now, it comes down to focusing on what I know is true and real in my life. And when it comes to engaging online, trying to keep mindful of the simple question, am I using this app/platform/etc. right now, or is it using me? Because once the scales tip to the latter the path toward feelings of emptiness is awfully swift.

My friends Fawn and Matt have been building a beautiful movement designed to restore meaningful connections in the world for years. I first met them a few years ago, when I was assigned to write an article on them focused on a program they were facilitating that matched people for platonic friendships. We talked intently about how technology has been changing the face of friendship--how the word ‘friend’ had been diluted down to meaningless stats as often as it equated to genuine relationships.

Recently, Fawn and Matt launched an incredibly open-hearted, inquisitive podcast, Our Friendly World. I’ve been listening in on some chilly morning runs lately, and the ‘conversations’ have been just lovely. Even virtual, somehow they feel so much more real than attempts to catch up with many through hasty scrolling. An extra nudge to come back to my own center through kindness and real connection. And what better timing than the holidays to let go of the things that don’t serve us and make room for magic that is right in reach?

But. Back to these pears! I love the way a healthy tea can complement this rustic yet refined dessert, but you can always stick with water and feel free to play with your sweeteners and amounts as well. With next-to-effortless prep required, this is a blissfully delightful treat, equally suited to holiday entertaining or the intimacy of a quiet evening. Happy holidays early, everyone! xo

Poached Pears in Tea Syrup

4 ripe yet firm Bosc or Bartlett pears

4 cups strong brewed herbal tea of choice (I like Organic India’s Cinnamon Hibiscus, Lemon Ginger, or Tulsi Masala Chai)

1/3 cup honey or maple syrup

1/3 cup coconut or monk fruit sugar

1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced

1 cinnamon stick, broken in half

Peel the pears and cut them in half from top to bottom, leaving the stems intact. Core each pear half by melon baller or spoon.

Add the water, honey or maple syrup, and sugar to a 4-quart pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir until the sugar and honey are dissolved, then add the ginger and cinnamon stick.

Place the pears into the liquid and turn the heat down to a simmer. Place parchment paper over the top of the pears to prevent them from floating. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the pears can be just pierced with a fork.

Transfer the pears and the poaching liquid to a smaller container and cover until serving. Continue simmering the poaching liquid until reduced to a syrupy consistency, approximately 30 minutes. Serve over pears. (You can also serve the pears immediately with a ladle of poaching liquid, or chill and serve cold.)

*If desired, leave peeled pears whole. Be sure to monitor and turn as needed to ensure pears are cooked to tender.