Vanilla Poached Pears

mmm. i never used to be a pear fan, but now that i am.. oh my..

FROM THINK INSIDE THE ICEBOX (thinkinsidetheicebox.com)

(makes 4 servings)

1-750 ml bottle sweet white wine (such as Riesling or Demi Sec)

1cup water

3/4cup vanilla-infused sugar (or ¾ cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract1 whole vanilla bean, split and scraped, or 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract)

4 firm pears, peeled but with stems intact

Directions:

1. Place wine, water, sugar and vanilla bean & pulp (or pure vanilla extract) in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat & bring to a boil.

2. Meanwhile, peel & core the pears from the bottom (a melon baller or a pointy spoon works well).

3. Reduce heat to medium low & add pears, making sure they are submerged in the liquid. Cover & simmer for 30min or until pears are soft but still hold their shape.

4. Remove pears and place in a baking dish, standing them upright, and chill in refrigerator.

5. Remove the vanilla bean (if used) from the saucepan, raise heat to high, and boil liquid for 20-25min, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a syrup, which will boil down to approximately 1cup of liquid. ( Don’t let the liquid turn brown.)

6. Place the syrup in a heat-proof container and refrigerate until cool.
7. Remove the pears from the refrigerator & place on plates, pour sauce over the pears and serve.

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