dark chocolate dipped pears

This is my third year hosting Thanksgiving in our home for family and friends . . . and with each passing year, I add new dishes to our dinner and dessert menu.

~ 2011 Thanksgiving menu ~

 ~ 2012 Thanksgiving menu ~

I was very pleased with last year's dinner menu, so I don't plan on making any changes to it; however, I do plan on making a few changes to the dessert menu.

With lingering family and friends . . . and their comings and goings . . . I thought I would add two new desserts . . . 

dark chocolate dipped pears 

~ & ~

Pumpkin Cheesecake with a sweet sour cream topping 

I've noticed that after a rich Thanksgiving meal, I'm not ready for rich desserts . . . so that's why I'm adding dark chocolate dipped pears. 

The combination of the light, sweet pear and smooth dark chocolate . . . is just that . . . light and smooth. I could easily enjoy one after a rich meal and not feel overwhelmed by another rich food, like pumpkin pie and cheesecake.

Don't get me wrong, I will also be enjoying pie (and truffles!!) . . . but it will be much later Thanksgiving evening (smile).

I'm so excited to share this exquisite dessert with my family and friends this year. 

dark chocolate dipped pears

Ingredients

6 ounces of high-quality dark chocolate

4 pears

1/4 cup chopped pistachios, optional

Directions

To make tempered chocolate, chop the chocolate into pieces 

and place 3/4 of it in a small glass bowl in a microwave for 15 seconds exactly. 

Stir the chocolate and continue to microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between, 

until the chocolate is smooth and shiny. 

Add the remaining 1/4 of the chocolate and stir until smooth. 

The chocolate should register 87 to 89 degrees F on a candy thermometer.

Dip each pear into the tempered chocolate (and then pistachios, optional) 

and place on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set.

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