Holiday Pears With Sabayon And Candied Pistachios

Holiday Pears with Sabayon and Candied Pistachios

Serves 4
Sabayon, a frothy, French dessert sauce, is made even more luscious with the addition of whipped cream. Candied pistachios and pomegranate arils provide a nice contrast in texture.

Ingredients

CANDIED PISTACHIOS

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

SABAYON

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (divided use)
  • 1/4 cup Marsala wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 ripe Comice pears (cores removed and sliced thin)

Optional Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup pomegranate arils

Directions

  1. To make candied pistachios: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a small non-stick pan over medium heat, melt sugar and honey. Add nuts and stir to coat. Continue to cook until syrup is thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour mixture in an even layer onto lined sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt and allow to cool. Break into small chunks. Store in an air-tight container.
  2. To make sabayon: Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches water and bring to simmer. Prepare a large bowl of ice water and set aside.
  3. In a heat-proof bowl, combine egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, and Marsala. Whisk to combine. Place bowl on saucepan, ensuring bowl does not touch water. Whisk continuously until mixture doubles in volume, thickens, and registers 175°F on a probe thermometer, about 6 minutes.
  4. Remove bowl from saucepan and place in bowl of ice water to cool. Whisk occasionally.
  5. While sabayon cools, combine heavy cream and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl. Whip cream until soft peaks form. With rubber spatula, fold cream into cooled sauce.
  6. Pool a generous spoonful of sauce into dessert dishes and fan sliced pears on top of sauce. Sprinkle with candied nuts, and if desired, pomegranate arils.

Nutrition

Amount Per Serving (based on 4 servings)
  • Calories: 310
  • Fat: 16.0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.0 g
  • Cholesterol: 245.0 mg
  • Sodium: 20.0 mg
  • Carbohydrates: 36.0 g
  • Fiber: 4.0 g
  • Added Sugars: 0.0 g
  • Sugar: 29.0 g
  • Protein: 4.0 g