Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears

Name: Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups dry red wine; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 lemon zest strip (about 2 inches wide); 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches); 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns; 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries; 4 medium Bosc pears (about 6 ounces each); Creme fraiche or sour cream, optional

While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy, yet elegant, dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama

Ingredients

2 cups dry red wine
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon zest strip (about 2 inches wide)
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
4 medium Bosc pears (about 6 ounces each)
Creme fraiche or sour cream, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring the first 6 ingredients to a boil; add cranberries. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, core pears from bottom, leaving stems intact. Peel pears. Add to pan, in a single layer on their sides. Simmer, uncovered, until pears are almost tender, about 10 minutes longer, turning occasionally. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes.
Drain pears; reserving poaching liquid and cranberries. Remove peppercorns. Place pears on dessert plates; drizzle with reserved poaching liquid. Top with cranberries and crème fraiche, if desired.