Pears Poached in Red Wine Sauce*

Serves 6

6 medium Anjou or Boso pears
1 small orange
6 whole cloves
1 qt red cooking wine
1 C granulated sugar
1/2 stick whole cinnamon

With a potato peeler, remove some of the peel from the pears, leaving some skin intact, Pierce the cloves into the skin of the orange. Bring wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, and orange to a boil; gently add pears. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, or until pears are tender. Chill pears in their cooking liquid, Place 1 pear on each serving plate and spoon 1 to 2 T of liquid around each pear.