Red Wine-Poached Pears

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine red wine, water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves.
2. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add the pears to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan.
5. Allow the pears to simmer in the liquid for about 20-30 minutes, or until tender.
6. Strain the poaching liquid through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
7. Return the liquid to the saucepan and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the liquid until it thickens and reduces to a syrup-like consistency.
9. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
10. Add the vanilla bean to the syrup and allow it to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes.
11. Remove the vanilla bean from the syrup and discard.
12. Arrange the pears on a serving plate and our the red wine syrup over them.
13. Serve the red wine-poached pears warm or chilled, along with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.