Stewed Pears

Ingredients

• 4 medium Cooking Pears (Firm pears suitable for stewing)
• 0.5 pound Sugar (Granulated or caster sugar)
• 1.5 pint Water
• 8 whole Cloves (2 cloves per pear)
• 0.25 cup Port Wine (Optional)
• 1 pinch Cochineal (Optional, for color)
• 1 cup Claret Wine (Optional, instead of port wine and cloves)
• 1 stick Cinnamon Stick (Optional, if using claret)

Instructions

1. 1Peel the pears, remove the cores, and halve or quarter them depending on their size.
2. 2In a large saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
3. 3Add the cloves to the syrup. Gently place the pears into the syrup. If using claret and cinnamon instead of cloves, add them now.
4. 4Bring the syrup to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and stew the pears gently for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are tender. Check occasionally to ensure the syrup doesn't evaporate completely; add a little more water if needed.
5. 5Once the pears are tender, remove from heat. Stir in the port wine and a pinch of cochineal (if using) to add color.
6. 6Serve the stewed pears warm or cold, with a spoonful of the syrup. They are delicious on their own or with cream or ice cream.