Poached Pears with Spiced Wine Syrup

Ingredients

• 1½ C dry red wine
• 1 C water
• ½ C firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
• 10 black peppercorns
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 4 firm, ripe Bartlett or Bosc pears (look for pears that have long stems for a dramatic presentation)

Directions

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a 3-quart microwave safe dish; microwave at HIGH 5 minutes or until mixture boils.
2. Peel and core pears, leaving stems intact. (To core a pear, use a melon baller and make 3 or 4 quick cuts into pear from bottom.) Slice about ¼ inch from base of each pear so it will sit flat. Add pears to poaching liquid; cover and microwave HIGH 10 minutes, or until tender. Let cool in dish 5 minutes. Remove pears with a slotted spoon; set aside.
3. Microwave liquid at HIGH 5 minutes or until reduced to 1 cup. Place each pear in a shallow bowl. Spoon ¼ cup sauce over each pear. Yield: 4 servings.