preparation

Makes 6 servings
Serving size: 1 pear
Preparation time: 8 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

1. In a large Dutch oven or large saucepan, combine the wine or juice, water, sugar, vanilla, and lemon slice. Bring to a simmer.
2. Add the pears and submerge them as much as possible. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and cook over low heat about 30 to 40 minutes until the pears are soft when pierced with a cake tester or wooden skewer. Turn the pears occasionally throughout the process for even cooking.
3. Remove the pears from the pan and set aside to cool.
4. Bring the liquid that remains in the pan to a boil and reduce until syrupy.
5. The pears can be served warm with heated poaching liquid poured on top or with both fruit and liquid chilled.