Spiced Poached Pears

with Vanilla Mint Cream

From Diabetes Cookbook, ADA
Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the Pears:

4 large, firm pears, peeled with stems left on

12 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 orange, peel grated and juiced

1¼ cups red wine

2 tablespoons honey

For the Mint Cream:

6 tablespoons low fat crème fraîche

Few drops vanilla extract

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint  

Cooking Method

Stud each pear with 3 cloves.

1.      Place in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick, grated orange peel and juice, and red wine.

2.      Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer gently until the pears are tender.

3.      Let the pears cool in the liquid, and then remove them from the pan.

With the pan uncovered, boil the cooking liquid until it has reduced by half.

·         Stir in the honey.

Mix together all the ingredients for the mint cream in a small bowl.

Serve the pears drizzled with a little of the thickened juice and with a spoonful of mint cream.