Poached Pears w/Choc Sauce

By á-8242

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c water
• 1/4 c sugar
• Grated rind & juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 fresh, ripe pears
• 2 T chocolate syrup
• 2 T dried cherries or cranberries (opt)

Preparation

Step 1

In large saucepan, combine water, sugar, lemon rind, lemon juice & cinnamon stick. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Peel, halve & core pears. Add pears to boiling syrup. (Pears should be covered in liquid; if not, double the amount of poaching liquid or poach in batches.) Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently 15-20 minutes until pears almost tender. Remove from heat and let cool in liquid. Drain pears thoroughly and pat dry on paper towels. Place halves on individual plates. Drizzle with chocolate syrup & spring with dried fruit. Serve at room temperature.