Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce

Fresh fruit for dessert is always a good choice, but sometimes, just a little bit more is desired! When that happens Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce is the answer. Some fruit, some sauce and a little bit of cream...

Fresh pears in season guarantee a delicious fruit dessert is about to be served!

Working with fresh pears is a fragrant and enjoyable task. But, fair warning, peeled pears are slippery!  To help me not lose a pear to the floor, I try to work over a small rimmed pan. That way if when I drop it, the rim helps keep the pear from sliding on down to the floor! This recipe for Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce is perfect for using smaller pears, which will give a nice sized dessert for each person. When working with large pears, a half pear each is just about right.

For larger pears, simply cut them into smaller pieces. I like to cut each half into four lengthwise slices. Then proceed with making this delicious dessert to enjoy. Pears can also be purchased ahead of time, and ripened at home, much like a melon or bananas. And when purchased ahead, it is easy to plan on this dessert as the fragrance of ripe pears fills your kitchen!

Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce is served with a bit of tangy yogurt or sour cream. But for special occasions, mascarpone cheese or vanilla ice cream takes this dessert up just a notch. Perfect for sharing with guests and for special occasions. And yes, you are going to want to make this dessert!

Creativity can and will come from the pantry, as much as any recipe you might find!

Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce was an off-the-cuff creation. One where the ingredients in the pantry were put to their best use! Fortunately, as we continue to practice cook with what you have, we have come up with some pretty tasty recipes. But to be fair, and in all honesty, not all of them are this good. Rest assured though, none of those never see the light of day, much less a blog post!

The truth is, sometimes recipe development using ingredients that seem like great flavor partners, just doesn't work. And the end result is just OK. OK to eat, because I know the value of the ingredients used. But not good enough to share. It is good to know that when I share a recipe, the end results are delicious and more than worth the cost of the ingredients! So let's get started, you are going to love this easy fruit dessert.

 

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• fresh pears
• a fresh orange
• pecans
• brown sugar
• butter
• nutmeg
• plain yogurt or one of the other suggestions

You will also need the following:

• cutting board
• kitchen knife
• sauté pan 
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• citrus juicer
• stirring spoon or silicone spatula
• serving plates or bowls

Now we are ready to begin!

Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce
by the seat of my pants!
serves 2, multiply as needed for larger groups.

UPDATED: 10.12.2024

2 small firm ripe pears
1/4 c pecan halves
1/2 fresh orange
1 T butter
2 T brown sugar
fresh nutmeg for grating

vanilla yogurt
OR
sour cream
OR
mascarpone cheese
OR
vanilla ice cream

Juice the orange, and set the juice aside. 

Melt the butter in a flat-bottom skillet, stir in the brown sugar and orange juice.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, grate nutmeg over the top of the sauce mixture (approximately 1/8 teaspoon).

Peel, quarter and core the pears, add pear pieces to the skillet.

Let poach for about 1 minute, spooning some of the caramel sauce over the top of each piece of pear. Remove from skillet, and place on serving plates.

Return the burner to high heat and boil the syrup to concentrate, when the mixture begins to look syrupy, add pecans and cook for 30 seconds longer.

Add a dollop of yogurt to each plate beside the pear pieces, spoon the caramel evenly over the pears and yogurt. 

Serve immediately.

Storage options for Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce. While it is unlikely you will have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator. Expect some loss of texture when served as a leftover. 

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Pears and Pecans in Orange Pecan Sauce has been included below. 

You may also enjoy:

Pear Creme Pie.

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Printable "copy and paste" version:

Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce

by the seat of my pants!
serves 2, multiply as needed for larger groups.

UPDATED: 10.12.2024

2 small firm ripe pears
1/4 c pecan halves
1/2 fresh orange
1 T butter
2 T brown sugar
fresh nutmeg for grating

vanilla yogurt
OR
sour cream
OR
mascarpone cheese
OR
vanilla ice cream

Juice the orange, and set the juice aside. 

Melt the butter in a flat-bottom skillet, stir in the brown sugar and orange juice.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, grate nutmeg over the top of the sauce mixture (approximately 1/8 teaspoon).

Peel, quarter and core the pears, add pear pieces to the skillet.

Let poach for about 1 minute, spooning some of the caramel sauce over the top of each piece of pear. Remove from skillet, and place on serving plates.

Return the burner to high heat and boil the syrup to concentrate, when the mixture begins to look syrupy, add pecans and cook for 30 seconds longer.

Add a dollop of yogurt to each plate beside the pear pieces, spoon the caramel evenly over the pears and yogurt. 

Serve immediately.

Storage options for Pears and Pecans in Orange Caramel Sauce. While it is unlikely you will have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator. Expect some loss of texture when served as a leftover. 

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