Wine-Poached Pears
4 pears, peeled, stems left on (shave a slice from the base
of each pear to keep upright)
1 bottle semisweet red wine
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. honey
1 strip orange zest
1 strip lemon zest
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
1 clove
Place wine, sugar, honey, orange zest, lemon zest, lemon
juice, cinnamon and clove in a deep saucepan (just large enough to hold 4
pears). Add pears and bring to a simmer. Cook gently, uncovered, until just
tender. Remove pears and set aside.
Boil the poaching liquid until reduced by half. Cool and
strain over the pears.
Refrigerate until well chilled (3 hours minimum). Serve with
wine syrup spooned over.
Makes 4 servings.