Warm Spiced Poached Pears with Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 4 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and halved
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced

• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Method

1. 01
   In a large saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, vanilla extract, cloves, star anise, and ginger. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. 02
   Reduce the heat to low and add the peeled, cored, and halved pears to the saucepan.
3. 03
   Simmer the pears gently for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. 04
   Remove the pears from the poaching liquid using a slotted spoon and set them aside to cool slightly.
5. 05
   Increase the heat and reduce the poaching liquid to form a syrup, about 5 minutes.
6. 06
   To serve, place a poached pear half in each bowl, drizzle with the spiced syrup, and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.