Pears Poached In Mead - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups bunratty mead
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
2 -3 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, zest of, cut into strips
6 firm bosc pears, firm, peeled, stems intact (Bartlett ok too)
4 ounces mascarpone cheese
4 ounces cashel blue cheese, crumbles

Preparation

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the mead, sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and orange zest to a boil. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is syrupy.
Reduce the heat to low, add the pears, and simmer, covered, for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the pears are tender. Turn the pears with tongs 2 or 3 times during cooking.
Remove from the heat and let the pears let cool in the poaching liquid.
Strain the liquid.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mascarpone and blue cheese until blended.
To serve, stand a pear in the center of each of 6 dessert plates, spoon some syrup over them, and place a dollop of the cheese mixture next to each.