Stewed Spiced Pears in Red Wine
Submitted by: Sue in NJ
Recipe by: Nava Atlas
Serves 4 to 6
This sweetly scented dessert is a light way to end a filling meal, and is also perfect for those who’d like to limit their intake of sugar.
5 large bosc pears
1/3 cup dry red wine
1/3 cup apple juice
1/4 lemon, cut into small bits, including the rind
6 whole cloves
1 small cinnamon stick, broken in half
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or allspice
1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons water
Stem the pears and cut them into quarters lengthwise. Core them and divide the quarters in half again lengthwise. In a deep saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the cornstarch and pears.
Over very low heat, bring the mixture to just under a boil. Slowly pour in the dissolved cornstarch, then stir in the pear slices. Cover and simmer over very low heat until the pears are tender, stirring occasionally.
When the pears are done, they should be easily pierce with a fork, but still firm enough to retain their shape. This will take from 25 to 45 minutes, depending on their size and ripeness. Serve just warm.