These perfectly poached pears are a holiday classic! Serve them alongside some vanilla bean ice cream for a delicious contrast of hot and cold.
Ingredients
4 firm pears, peeled and cored
2 cups dry red wine
1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract)
Optional Ingredients
Whipped cream or ice cream for serving
Directions
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In a large saucepan, combine red wine, water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves.
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Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
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Add the pears to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.
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Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan.
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Allow the pears to simmer in the liquid for about 20-30 minutes, or until tender.
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Strain the poaching liquid through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
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Return the liquid to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
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Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the liquid until it thickens and reduces to a syrup-like consistency.
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Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
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Add the vanilla bean to the syrup and allow it to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes.
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Remove the vanilla bean from the syrup and discard.
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Arrange the pears on a serving plate and our the red wine syrup over them.
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Serve the red wine-poached pears warm or chilled, along with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.