Healthy Christmas Poached Pears with Spiced Wine and Walnuts

• 4 ripe pears, peeled with stems intact

• 1 bottle red wine, preferably a rich, fruity variety

• 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4 whole cloves

• 2 star anise

• 1 vanilla pod, split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)

• 1 orange, zested and juiced

• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

1. In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, and the split vanilla pod (or vanilla extract).


2. Add the zest and juice of one orange to the saucepan.


3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the honey or maple syrup is fully dissolved.


4. Carefully place the peeled pears into the simmering wine mixture. The pears should be covered by the wine; if not, add just enough water to cover them.


5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the pears poach for 15-25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a knife.


6. While the pears are poaching, periodically spoon some of the wine mixture over them to ensure even coloring and flavor infusion.


7. Once the pears are tender, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the pears to cool in the liquid for a deeper flavor.


8. When ready to serve, carefully remove the pears from the liquid, and place them upright on serving plates.


9. Increase the heat under the saucepan and bring the wine mixture to a boil. Let it reduce until it forms a syrupy consistency, which can take about 10-15 minutes.


10. Strain the reduced spiced wine syrup to remove the whole spices and any citrus pieces.


11. Drizzle the warm spiced wine syrup over the poached pears.


12. Garnish the pears with the toasted and roughly chopped walnuts just before serving.