Red Wine Poached Pears Slow Cooker Recipe

 

These aren't beets. They're pears that have been soaked in wine, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.

AND THEY ARE AWESOME.

for grown-ups. not for kids.

My mom's friend Carol sent me this recipe, after tasting them at an Inn in Napa, California. I can't get over how easy they were to make, and am slightly kicking myself for not making them earlier (read: before this last baby) when were entertaining much more often.

If you're looking for a dessert for New Year's Eve--this is it. Easy Fancy (again!).

The Ingredients.

serves 6

2 (29-ounce) cans pear halves (I like it that the recipe calls for canned pear halves. They are found year-round, are terribly inexpensive, and you don't have to peel anything. If you'd prefer to use "real" ones, try 6 peeled and cored pears)

1 (750-ml) bottle red wine (I used an inexpensive merlot)

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cinnamon stick

2 star anise

6 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream (for garnish, after cooking)

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Drain pears, and plop them into your empty crock. Add the entire bottle of wine (if you are wearing a new white blouse, it'd be a good idea to put on an apron. grrr.). Stir in the sugar, being careful to not break up the pear halves. Add vanilla, and float the cinnamon stick and star anise on top. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours, or on high for about 2.

Serve warm in bowls with a large dollop of whipped cream.

The Verdict.

This certainly is a dessert that will warm you up on a cold night. The alcohol DOES NOT COOK AWAY.

Please eat responsibly! :-)

The sugar and vanilla really cut through the harsh bite you sometimes get with red wine--feel free to use an inexpensive table wine (not cooking wine, something you'd drink). 

Thank you, Carol, for getting this recipe for us----it's wonderful.

I have a Holiday Pear (no alcohol) recipe coming up in the next day or two---I just need to find my notes.

other stuff:

I have another Visa GiftCard for $100 to give away over on Totally Together Reviews. This is the 3rd out of 4 total.

also, my friend Diane's son may have Lyme disease---he was diagnosed last week. She is understandably quite shaken and is gathering as much information as possible. If you happen to know anything about Lyme Disease, will you email me at crockpotlady@gmail.com so I can forward the info on to her?

Thank you so much.