Pere al Vino Rosso

Pere al Vino Rosso, or Pears in Red Wine, is a simple, elegant Italian dessert where pears are poached in a rich red wine syrup.

Ingredients - Serves 4

In a saucepan large enough to hold all the pears, combine the red wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, lemon peel, and vanilla pod.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the pears to the saucepan. If necessary, add enough water to cover the pears.
Cover the saucepan and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the pears are tender but not falling apart.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pears to a dish.
Remove the cinnamon stick, lemon peel, and vanilla pod from the wine syrup.
Increase the heat and boil the syrup for about 10 minutes, or until it is reduced by half and thickened.
Pour the syrup over the pears and let them cool.
Serve the pears at room temperature or chilled, with some of the syrup spooned over them.