Pears Poached in Cider and Vanilla

Ingredients:

• 6 ripe pears, peeled and cored
• 4 cups of cider
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• Zest from one lemon

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the cider, water, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, sugar and lemon zest. Bring it to a simmer.
2. Add in the pears, making sure to completely submerge them in the liquid.
3. Reduce heat to low and allow the pears to simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
4. Remove the pot from heat and allow the pears to cool slightly in the liquid.
5. Once cooled, transfer the pears to a plate using a slotted spoon.
6. Return the pot to the stove and increase the heat to medium-high. Allow the liquid to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until it has thickened and reduced to a syrupy consistency.
7. Remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean from the syrup and discard them.
8. Drizzle the syrup over the pears and serve either warm or chilled.

Verdict:

This dish is easy to make, yet so elegant and flavorful. The combination of juicy pears, sweet cider, warm cinnamon and fragrant vanilla make for a wonderful dessert or snack. The lemon zest adds a bit of brightness and freshness to the dish, while the syrupy sauce ties everything together beautifully. I highly recommend serving these pears with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.