Poached Pears In Red Wine

Total Time: 34 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 4 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine, i like merlot, a good label (if you wouldn't drink it, don't cook with it)
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 lemon, juice of
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 2 inches piece orange rind
• 1 clove
• 1 black peppercorns
• 4 firm ripe pears
• whipped cream or sour cream, to serve

Recipe

• 1 place the wine, sugar, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, orange rind, clove and peppercorn in a saucepan just large enough to hold the pears standing upright. heat gently, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• 2 meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stem intact. take a thin slice off the bottom of each pear to keep it standing upright.
• 3 place the pears in the wine mixture, then simmer uncovered for 20-35 minutes depending on size and ripeness, until the pears are just tender; be careful not to overcook.
• 4 carefully transfer the pears to a bowl, using a slotted spoon. continue to boil the poaching liquid until reduced bu about half. let cool, then strain the cooled liquid over the pears and chill for at least 3 hours.
• 5 place the pears in four individual serving dishes and spoon a little of the red wine syrup over them. serve with whipped cream or sour cream.