Sense of Home Kitchen
Pears Poached in Mulled Wine
~Sense of Home Kitchen~
Mulled Wine
2 cinnamon sticks
1 star anise
5 peppercorns
4 whole cloves
1 1/2 cups water
1 bottle (750ml) semi-dry red wine
1 orange, thinly sliced
Place cinnamon sticks, star anise, peppercorns, and cloves in a muslin bag, pulling the string tight, or in cheesecloth tied closed with a string. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 6-quart heavy pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved then add spice bag, wine, and orange slices. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for approximately 5 minutes.
Poached Pears
6 firm, ripe D'Anjou pears
Leaving the pears whole, peel the skins off and place them in the pot of simmering mulled wine, making sure the wine covers or mostly covers the pears. Simmer over low heat until pears are tender when pierced with a knife, approximately 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the pears to a cutting board and slice the very bottom of the pear off so it will sit up. Pour off and reserve all but 2 cups of the mulled wine. Pour the reserved mulled wine in glass mug for drinking. Bring the 2 cups of mulled wine to a boil and reduce by half. Place a pear or two on a shallow rimmed dessert plate and pour some of the reduced mulled wine over the top. Enjoy!
