Ingredients:
- 4 brown pears, free from blemishes and bruises
- lemon juice
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 cup water
- 2 cup red wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 3 or 4 cloves
Putting it all together:
Peel each pear from stem down. Pour lemon juice over each pear to avoid browning while peeling the remaining pears.
Place sugar and water/wine mixture in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Increase heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add pears and spices. Allow the pears to simmer, covered with a square of baking paper, in the liquid for 15-30 minutes or until tender. Turn occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Take a cupful of the liquid and boil it down until it's a thick syrup.
Serve pear warm with the thicken liquid and a dollop or two of ice cream.