Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears

Name: Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 25 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups dry red wine or cranberry juice; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons dried cherries; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 whole star anise; 1 dried Sichuan peppercorn, optional; 4 ripe Bosc pears; GANACHE:; 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped; 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream; TOPPINGS:; 2 tablespoons pine nuts; Fresh blackberries; Sweetened whipped cream, optional

Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely.—Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups dry red wine or cranberry juice
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons dried cherries
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 whole star anise
1 dried Sichuan peppercorn, optional
4 ripe Bosc pears
GANACHE:
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
TOPPINGS:
2 tablespoons pine nuts
Fresh blackberries
Sweetened whipped cream, optional

Directions

In a 3-qt. slow cooker, mix wine, brown sugar, cherries, cinnamon, star anise and, if desired, peppercorn until blended. Peel and cut pears lengthwise in half. Remove cores, leaving a small well in the center of each. Arrange pears in wine mixture.
Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until pears are almost tender. Discard star anise and peppercorn.
Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth.
To serve, remove pears to dessert dishes; drizzle with some of the poaching liquid. Spoon ganache into wells of pears. Top with pine nuts and blackberries. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (calculated without whipped cream and blackberries): 295 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Pears Poached in Zinfandel, Anise, Cinnamon & Chili in Taste of Home Everyday Slow Cooker & One Dish Recipes 2014