Cooking time: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 hours plus chilling time
ingredients
serves 4
4 large, whole cooking pears
3/4 cup fine sugar or (2 tablespoons) honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup red wine or cider
4 whole cloves
2 inch cinnamon stick
method
1. Thinly peel the pears, keeping them whole, with the stalk and the core intact. Lay the pears on their sides in a shallow pan which is a good fit. Laying them top to tail will take up less room.
2. To make the syrup, put the sweetener, 1/3 cup water and the lemon juice in a small pan. Bring to the boil, stirring, over low heat.
3. Boil the syrup for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the wine and spices and pour over the pears.
4. Cover the pan with a lid. Cook over low heat on the stove top for 40 minutes. Carefully turn the pears half-way through cooking time, using a slotted spoon.
5. When cooked, lift the pears out of the syrup on to serving dishes.
6. Strain the syrup, discarding the spices, and pour over the pears. When cold, cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.
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