Orange Liqueur Pears - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 firm pears
250 ml orange juice
125 ml water
125 ml dry white wine
4 tablespoons sugar
2 strips orange rind
125 ml orange liqueur (Grand Marnier for example)

Preparation

Peel the pears but leave the stem intact.
Trim the base so they stand upright.
I take a teaspoon and take out some of the core too, as it allows the syrup to get right up inside.
In a saucepan combine the juice, water, sugar, rind and wine.
Stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved then add the pears and simmer for 20 minutes or until the pears are tender.
Baste with the syrup from time to time.
Remove the pears and increase the heat under the pan.
Reduce until the syrup has reached a more sticky saucy consistency.
Pour this syrup over the pears and allow them to cool then add the orange liqueur.
When cold remove the orange rind and serve with a little of the syrup spooned over.