Pear Perfection

Name: Pear Perfection
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup pomegranate juice; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1 large pear, peeled, halved and cored; 1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips; 1 tablespoon white baking chips; 2/3 cup raspberry sherbet; 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

What makes this dessert especially great is that it can be made in advance and year-round. I use lime sherbet for St. Patrick’s Day and pineapple sherbet for Easter. For a yuletide touch, add a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. —Pat Neaves, Lees Summit, Missouri

Ingredients

1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 large pear, peeled, halved and cored
1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon white baking chips
2/3 cup raspberry sherbet
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring the juices, sugar and lemon zest to a boil. Reduce heat; carefully add pear halves. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Remove pears with a slotted spoon; refrigerate for 1 hour.
Bring poaching liquid to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons. Cool.
In a microwave, melt chocolate and baking chips in separate bowls; stir until smooth. Drizzle chocolate on a plate. Place pear halves on plate; top with sherbet. Drizzle with the poaching liquid and melted chips. Sprinkle with almonds. Serve immediately.