National Pears Helene Day

Pears Helene, also known as Poire Belle Helene, is a classic French dessert that consists of poached pears, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce. To make Pears Helene, whole pears are poached in a sweet syrup flavored with cinnamon and vanilla until they are tender. The pears are then allowed to cool, and the syrup is reduced until it becomes a thick sauce. To serve, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is placed in the bottom of a dessert bowl or plate, and a poached pear is placed on top. The chocolate sauce is then drizzled over the top of the pear and ice cream. Pears Helene was created in the late 19th century by French chef Auguste Escoffier and was named after the operetta La Belle Hélène by Jacques Offenbach. The dish has since become a classic French dessert and is enjoyed around the world.