Asian Pears With Vanilla Poached Kumquats Recipes

Steps:

• Wash and trim off the ends of: 1 pound kumquats.
• Slice them crosswise into 1/8- to 1/4-inch pinwheels, removing the seeds as you go. Combine in a small saucepan: 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, One 1-inch piece of vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped into the pan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Adjust the heat to a low simmer and add the sliced kumquats. Let them cook gently until translucent and tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let them cool in the poaching syrup.

Steps:

• Cut each pear quarter lengthwise into 4 slices, and place in a large bowl. Bring ginger, vanilla seeds and pod, sugar, and water to a boil in a small saucepan for 3 minutes. Pour mixture over pears. Press a piece of parchment directly on surface, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Discard vanilla pod and ginger. Divide pears among 4 bowls, and serve with cookies or wafers on the side if desired.

Steps:

• Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into water with lime juice in a small heavy saucepan, then add pod, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
• Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then simmer 3 minutes.
• Add kumquats and simmer, covered, until they just begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Put pears in a heatproof bowl. Pour kumquats and syrup over pears and toss gently, then cool.
• Chill fruit, covered, at least 2 hours.