Poached Pears with Spiced-Wine Syrup

Ingredients

• 10  peppercorns black
• 4  bosc pears firm ripe
• 0.5 cup firmly brown sugar dark packed
• 1 stick cinnamon (3-inch)
• 1.5 cups cooking wine dry red
• 3 tablespoons honey 
• 1 tablespoon juice of lemon fresh
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 cup water 

Equipment

• bowl
• microwave
• slotted spoon
• melon baller

Directions

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a 3-quart microwave-safe dish; microwave at HIGH 5 minutes or until mixture boils.
2. Peel and core pears, leaving stems intact. Slice about 1/4 inch from base of each pear so it will sit flat.
3. Add pears to poaching liquid; cover and microwave at HIGH 10 minutes, or until tender.
4. Let cool in dish 5 minutes.
5. Remove pears with a slotted spoon; set aside.
6. Microwave liquid at HIGH 5 minutes or until reduced to 1 cup.
7. Place each pear in a shallow bowl. Spoon 1/4 cup sauce over each pear.
8. Note: Look for pears that have long stems for a dramatic presentation. To core a pear, hold it in your left hand. Using a melon baller, make three or four quick cuts into pear from the bottom. Leftover pears will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.