Recipe for Red Wine Poached Pears :
Difficulty: Moderate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
5 cups red wine
1 ½ cups and 2 Tablespoons sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean, cut in half lengthwise
Zest of 1/3 of an orange
½ cup dried blueberries
4 large pears that are not too ripe
Instructions:
- In a saucepan just large enough to hold the 4 pears, combine wine, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, orange zest, and dried blueberries. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Meanwhile, peel the pears. (You can leave part of the peel on the pears as this will make a decorative color scheme after the pears are cooked. For instance, using a sharp paring knife, you can cut a zigzag pattern around the top of the pear and remove the peel beneath it.) Using a melon baller, scoop out the seeds by entering the bottom of the pear.
- Place the pears in the simmering red wine. Cover with a small plate so that the pears are completely submerged. Simmer just until the pears are tender (about 20-30 minutes). You will know the pears are tender with you can insert a knife into them with little resistance. Remove pan from heat and let cool. When cool, place the pears and cooking liquid in the refrigerator. This is best done 1 day in advance.
- When ready to serve, remove the pears from the cooking liquid. Stand the pears up in individual serving bowls. Pour ¼ cup of cooking liquid around each of the pears.
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