Poached Pears

Ingredients

2 medium firm pears 1 vanilla bean 2-¼ cups water ½ cup white grape juice 2 dried apricots, chopped 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1 lemon peel strip 1 whole clove 2 tablespoons chopped almonds, toasted

Directions

* Core pears from the bottom, leaving stems intact. Peel pears; cut ¼ in. from the bottom of each to level if necessary. Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds; set aside. * In a small saucepan, combine the water, grape juice, apricots, sugar, honey, lemon strip, clove, vanilla bean and seeds. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; place pears on their sides in saucepan and poach, uncovered, for 18-22 minutes or until pears are almost tender, basting occasionally with poaching liquid. * Remove pears and apricots with a slotted spoon; cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate. Bring poaching liquid to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to ¼ cup. Discard the vanilla bean, lemon strip and clove. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. * Place pears on dessert plates. Drizzle with poaching liquid. Sprinkle with apricots and almonds.

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