POACHED PEARS

By ldelmas

Ingredients

• 4-1/2 cups apple cider
• 1-1/2 Tbsp honey
• 1/2 vanilla bean, scraped
• 2 (3") cinnamon stick pieces
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 6 Anjou pears, peeled
• 1/4 cup toasted, sliced almonds
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

Details

Adapted from QVC.COM

Preparation

Step 1

Preparation:

Add the apple cider, honey, vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, orange zest, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the slow cooker. Stir together.


Slightly cut off the bottom stem of each pear, leaving a flat surface so the pear stands straight up in the slow cooker. Put the prepared pears upright in the liquid and cover.


Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until fork-tender.


When the pears are done cooking, remove them from the liquid and set aside. Pour the cooking liquid into a medium saucepan. Over low to medium heat, reduce the liquid by half.


Spoon the reduced liquid over the pears, sprinkle with the almonds, and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.