Galentine’s Day 2021 Recipe — White-Wine Poached Pears with Belgian Waffles

Galentine’s Day wouldn’t be Galentine’s Day without waffles, and since we don’t live in Pawnee and can’t hop over to JJ’s Diner to have waffles with Leslie Knope, I thought it might be fun to come up with a recipe we can make ourselves at home. I’ve created a dish that’s indulgent, fun, perfect for sharing with your best gals, and will work for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert: Belgian Waffles with White Wine-Poached Pears.

If you enjoy reading about food subscriptions, you might be familiar with my reviews for MSA. I often write about meal kits and beverage subscriptions for the site, but I’m also a professional baker. Before we dive into this recipe, let me first tell you a little bit more about me and my background. I’ve been baking since around 2005, and I’m mostly self-taught. I’m a total kitchen nerd. I love learning how and why things work, playing around in the kitchen, and developing new recipes is one of my absolutely favorite pastimes. In the 20-teens, I ran my own bakery where I specialized in classic American baked goods with a twist. These days, you’re more likely to find me typing away on a computer than cranking out product in a commercial kitchen, but I still enjoy creating new dishes and recipes whenever I can. 

For this dish, I’m sharing my Belgian waffle recipe, a family favorite that incorporates whipped egg whites to create a fluffy batter that makes pillowy soft waffles. Instead of the traditional toppings, I’m taking things to the next level by topping the waffles with pears that have been poached in a wine-spiked liquid that’s flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. This recipe will even guide you through creating syrup from the poaching liquid (waffles demand syrup, after all). It's the stuff dreams are made of: a divine concoction that tastes like pears, vanilla, honey, and cinnamon. If you’re making this dish for breakfast or brunch, I recommend finishing the waffles with a puff of whipped cream, but you can also top them with a scoop of ice cream to create an indulgent breakfast-for-dessert. 

I hope you have as much fun making and eating this dish as I had creating it for you. 

Want to follow along as I make this recipe? Visit MSA's Instagram stories on Saturday, February 13 to follow along with my Galentine's Day tutorial!

White Wine-Poached Pears with Belgian Waffles

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment:

• Large (4 quart) saucepan
• Waffle maker (I’m using this one)
• Mixer (hand or stand)
• Assorted mixing bowls & measuring cups
• Vegetable peeler & corer

Ingredients

For the Vino-Poached Pears:

• 4 pears (Bosc, Seckle, or Anjou), peeled and cored
• 1 (750 mL) bottle of wine (viognier or riesling)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup (8 oz) water
• whole vanilla bean
• cinnamon stick

For the Waffles:

• 2 1/2 cups (11.25 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1/2 cup (1 stick/4 oz) melted butter
• 2 cups (16 oz) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Non-stick baking spray or oil

For Assembly/Toppings (optional):

• whipped cream or ice cream
• melted butter

Lindsey making this recipe.

Instructions

1. Make the poached pears.

• Combine wine, sugar, water, cinnamon, and vanilla bean (both the scraped-out seeds and the pod) in a large saucepan. 
• Bring liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer.
• Add pears, cover, and poach for 30 minutes or until soft.
• Remove pears and set aside. Increase heat to medium and continue cooking the poaching liquid, uncovered, until it has reduced by half, about 20 minutes more. It should be syrupy.

2. While poaching liquid is reducing, make the waffles.

• Preheat your waffle iron and spray with non-stick baking spray. (I’m using an Oster Belgian waffle maker.)
• In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt). Set aside.
• In a medium-sized bowl, mix together wet ingredients (egg yolks, melted butter, milk, and vanilla).
• In a third bowl, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 4-5 minutes.
• Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and whisk. Then fold in the egg whites. 
• Cook waffles for approximately 5 minutes. My Oster waffle iron takes about 3/4 cup of batter per waffle. Your waffle iron may need more or less. 

3. Assemble the waffles!

• Brush waffles with melted butter (optional).
• Top with a poached pear and syrup.
• Finish with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream (optional).
• Happy Galentine’s Day!

Learn how to make this epicurean masterpiece under Lindsey's expert guidance. Tune in to MSA's Instagram stories on Saturday, February 13 to follow along with her Galentine's Day tutorial.

What snazzy toppings will you be adding to your Galentine's Day Waffles? See what else we're up to for Galentine's Day—head here!