Zinfandel Pears with Mascarpone

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   Wash and dry the pears. Half lengthwise - splitting the stem if possible. Core the center using a melon baller. Brush the lemon juice over the cut pears to keep them from browning. (alternatively, peel the pears, core per directions)

2. 2

   Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the pears, cut side down, in the pan, and sauté until golden, 5-7 minutes. Do not turn over. Remove pears from the pan.

3. 3

   Add the wine to the skillet with cinnamon sticks, star anise, bay leaf, and sugar. Heat to a simmer while stirring to dissolve sugar. Add pears back into the pan. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes (or until pears are soft) while spooning liquid over the pears. (The pears will take on the red color of the wine).

4. 4

   Remove pears from wine, set them aside on a pan, and cover with foil. Continue to simmer wine until thickened. (consistency is thinner than syrup)

5. 5

   Blend the mascarpone with cassis.

6. 6

   Serve pears in a pool of wine syrup topped in the center with the mascarpone.