Dome Pears: Elegant Poached Pear Dessert from Les Bons Desserts

• 2 kg pears
• 1 liter water
• 200 g sugar
• 1 vanilla pod
• 1/8 liter milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 3 sheets gelatin (3 g)
• 1 liqueur glass kirsch
• Angelica (for garnish)

1. Peel the pears and halve them lengthwise, selecting well-elongated varieties for the best shape. Prepare a syrup by simmering the water, sugar, and vanilla pod.
2. Poach the pears in the boiling syrup for 5 minutes, then drain.
3. Prepare a custard using the milk and egg yolks. Soak the gelatin in cold water first, then stir it into the hot custard.
4. Before it fully cools, fold in the whipped cream and 1 liqueur glass of kirsch or pear liqueur.
5. In a deep, narrow-based bowl, stand one pear upright in the center. Arrange halved pears tightly around it, stem-side down, to form a dome. Fill the center and add more layers if using a larger bowl.
6. Pour over the cream mixture, which will firm up as it cools. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
7. Unmold carefully and garnish each pear with 2 angelica sticks.

Difficulty: 2

Source: Les Bons Desserts by Baudoin