Spiced red wine poached pears cream filled/ Γεμιστα αχλαδια ποσε’ σε κοκκινο κρασι με μπαχαρικα/Pere ripiene di crema al vino rosso speziato

Poached pears in spiced red wine ( filled with mascarpone cream)

Ingredients:

• A.  3 pears (peeled-stalk intact) , 1 bottle red wine , 250 gr sugar , 2 cinnamon sticks , 2 star anise , orange & lemon peel
• B.  For mascarpone cream : 100 gr mascarpone (or Philadelphia cheese) , 1 tbs honey, cinnamon . chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:

• Put all ingredients (A) except the pears  in a saucepan just large enough to hold the fruits and bring to a boil
• Place the pears into the wine mixture then simmer uncovered for about 40-45 min. or until tender when pierced with a fork.
• Transfer pears to a bowl and continue to boil the poaching liquid until reduced to half (about 20 min. until is thickens)
• Now use an apple corer to scoop out the seeds and fill the pears center with the mascarpone cream

Mascarpone cream: Combine mascarpone or Philadelphia , honey , cinnamon , chopped walnuts into a bowl . Mix until smooth and creamy

 Ways to serve poached pears :

1.You can serve it  with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream , greek yogurt , whipped cream.

2.In a dish or in a glass put pears and some mulled wine (or other liquor 80 proof and above ⇒40% alcohol by volume) and apply a flame to the liquor. We recommend a long lighter. Before you light the drink, remove any alcohol you don’t want to catch fire from the area.

Serve warm, putting a few chopped walnuts or  almonds into each glass and enjoy!