Red Wine Poached Pears

By 965koit on October 30, 2017

Napa and Sonoma Counties are known for their wonderful Red Wines, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlots and more!  Impress your dinner guests with this easy and delicious dessert!

INGREDIENTS

1 750-ml bottle Dry California Red Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

1/2 cup orange juice

2 teaspoons grated orange peel

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 cinnamon stick

4 firm but ripe pears, peeled, stems left intact

1 pint vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup toasted walnuts (optional)

Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy large saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to simmer.

Add pears and return to the stove and simmer.

Reduce heat and simmer slowly until pears are tender when pierced with knife, about 25 minutes. Transfer pears to plate.

Bring the liquid in the saucepand up to heat and boil liquid until reduced to 3 cups, about 20 minutes. 

Arrange 1 warm pear and 1 scoop of ice cream on each of 4 plates.

Drizzle some poaching liquid over. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts if desired and serve.