Poached pears make a great dessert, its simple to make and a great way to use leftover wine.

Recipe is from Cooking with Vegetables and Fruits In Season by Sarah Raven

Poached Pears
Serves 6

6 firm pears

2 1/2 cups port (or wine, see below) ( I used a strawberry fruit wine, DELISH!)

1/4 cups sugar

1 star anise

Peel of 1 lemon, cut into strips

1 cinnamon stick

3/4 cup water

Choose a saucepan that will hold the pears snugly. Peel pears wit a potato peeler, leaving the stems on the fruit, and cut a thin slice off the bottom so that the pears will stand upright.

Put the port into a saucepan with water, the sugar, star anise, lemon peel, and cinnamon, and stir to dissolve the sugar.

Add the pears and simmer, covered until the pears are tender. (10 - 20 minutes)

Remove the pears to a bowl and retun liquid to the heat. Reduce by simmering, until the mixture is slightly thicker and the taste is intense.

Pour the syrup over the pears and leave for several hours, turning the pears occasionally, until they have taken on the rich color of the syrup.

Chill and Enjoy!