Pears Poached In Peppered Port - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups port wine
1/4 cup sugar
3 pieces lemon rind, 2-inches each
1 tablespoon lemon juice
20 black peppercorns
5 whole cloves
1 piece cinnamon stick, 3-inches
4 bartlett pears, peeled, cored, halved
4 sprigs of fresh mint

Preparation

Combine first 7 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil.
Add pear halves; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes or until tender.
Remove pear halves with a slotted spoon, and place in a large shallow bowl. Cover and chill.
Bring wine mixture to a boil, and cook 8 minutes or until reduced to 1 cup.
Pour wine mixture through fine mesh sieve into a small bowl; discard spices and lemon. Cover and chill.
Place 2 pear halves in each of 4 dessert dishes; top with sauce. Garnish with mint sprigs.