New Year’s Eve is approaching.
Are you doing anything fancy?
Or better yet, are you serving anything fancy for your party?
How about a brandied pear, spilling forth with chocolate, all baked into a perfect puff pastry?
The answer is…yes!
Chocolate Brandied Pear in Puff Pastry
1 Bosc pear
2 cups brandy
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 sheet puff pastry, thawed and rolled out thin
1 large egg + 1 Tbs. water
In a medium sauce pan, cover the pear in brandy and simmer for at least 30 minutes, until the pear is soft. Be sure to rotate the pear every few minutes, for even cooking and to keep the fruit covered in liquid.
Allow to cool.
Hollow out the bottom of the pear with a sharp knife, once cool enough to handle, and fill with chocolate chips.
Place bottom down on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Thinly slice the puff pastry into long strands. Twist and twirl the strands, and round the pear.
Cover with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 Tbs. water) and bake for 20 minutes.
Slice and serve. Garnish with extra chocolate and brandy, if desired.
