Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears Recipe

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups dry red wine or cranberry juice1/3 cup packed brown sugar2 tablespoons dried cherries1 tablespoon ground cinnamon1 whole star anise1 dried Sichuan peppercorn, optional4 ripe Bosc pearsGANACHE:6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped1/4 cup heavy whipping creamTOPPINGS:2 tablespoons pine nutsFresh blackberriesSweetened whipped cream, optional

Preparation

In a 3-qt. slow cooker, mix wine, brown sugar, cherries, cinnamon, star anise and, if desired, peppercorn until blended. Peel and cut pears lengthwise in half. Remove cores, leaving a small well in the center of each. Arrange pears in wine mixture.

Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until pears are almost tender. Discard star anise and peppercorn.

Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth.

To serve, remove pears to dessert dishes; drizzle with some of the poaching liquid. Spoon ganache into wells of pears. Top with pine nuts and blackberries. If desired, serve with whipped cream.