"The Twelve Days of Desserts" at the St Francis Inn Returns

We are at it again…but starting a bit early this year for the 12 Desserts of Christmas.

Tonight will be the first night – we are serving

Poached Pears with Vanilla Ice Cream, Pomegranate Seeds and Spiced Wine Sauce.

"The Twelve Days of Desserts" at the St Francis Inn Returns 3 POACHED%2BPEARS%2BWITH%2BVANILLA%2BICE%2BCREAM%2C%2BPOMEGRANATE%2BSEEDS%2BAND%2BSPICED%2BWINE%2BSAUCE St. Francis Inn St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast

Poached Pears

Ingredients: 1/2 bottle (1 1/2 cups) red wine

1 lemon

1 navel orange, quartered

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 vanilla bean, split, or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cinnamon stick

5 cloves

4 small ripe pears (any variety), peeled

Vanilla Ice Cream (optional)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, off the heat, combine the wine, the juice from the lemon and orange, 1 of the squeezed orange quarters, the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon stick, and cloves.

2. Add the pears and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, turning the pears occasionally, until they’re easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 25 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pears to individual plates.

3. Remove and discard the orange quarter and spices. Return the liquid to a simmer and cook until syrupy and reduced by two-thirds, about 15 minutes, depending on size of pan. Spoon the sauce over the pears and ice cream.