Mulled Wine Poached Pears

You don't need to use an expensive bottle of wine for this recipe, choose a mid-range, fruity or spicy red wine such as a Shiraz or Merlot

Ingredients

• 1 Mrs Rogers Mulled Wine Spice Mix
• 1 Mrs Rogers Vanilla Pod
• 1 Bottle Red Wine*
• 5 tbsp Sugar
• Juice of 1 Orange
• 4 Ripe but firm Pears

Directions

1. Slice Vanilla Pod in half lengthways and scrape seeds from the pod.
2. Add the vanilla pod halves and scrapings, contents of your Mrs Rogers Mulled Wine Mix, Juice from 1 orange, Sugar, 1/4 bottle of your wine* to a saucepan and boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. While the mixture is boiling, peel, halve and core the pears.Tip - Submerging pears in water mixed with the juice of a lemon will stop the pears going brown while you wait.
4. Add the rest of your wine and the pears to the mixture and simmer on low heat for 10-20 minutes untill pears are ready.
5. To test the pears, scoop one out with a slotted spoon and poke with a small paring knife. The pears should be tender throughout but not mushy.
6. Remove Pears and half the mulled wine mixture and set aside, turn the heat up to medium and cook the remaining mulled wine mixture until it reduces and thickens, adding more sugar will make a thicker and sweeter syrup.
7. Serve the pears warm, drizzled with the reduced mulled wine and a generous dollop of mascarpone.