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Pears in Port Wine

Cooks' Note

Second and third servings could be eaten in the morning with coffee or in the afternoon with a cup of aromatic tea.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4. serving size: 1 pear, or if half a pear will satisfy

Ingredients

4 ripe, firm pears
3 cups ruby port wine
1/4 cup sugar
1 jigger (3 tablespoons) Cointreau
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Peel the pears, but leave them whole. With the stem end intact, cut off a thin slice at the bottom so that the pears can stand upright.

    Step 2

    In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the port, sugar, and 2 cups water to a boil.

    Step 3

    Place the whole pears in the liquid, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for about 35 minutes, turning the pears occasionally, until they are tender.

    Step 4

    Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.

    Step 5

    Increase the heat under the saucepan and reduce the liquid by half by boiling vigorously for 20 minutes to a medium-thick syrup. Add the Cointreau and vanilla.

    Step 6

    Place the pears upright in a serving dish and spoon the reduced syrup over them. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

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