A simple dessert of wine-poached pears is wonderfully elegant when served. The pears kindly absorb the wine and its flavors through simmering. 

Red Wine Poached Pears
Makes 3 whole pears (6 halves)

Ingredients: 
3 Bosch pears, peeled with stem in-tact
4 cups dry red wine
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
3 sticks of cinnamon
4 pods of cardamom
1 vanilla bean pod, insides scraped out

Directions:
1. Peel pears leaving the stems in place. 

2. Combine all the other ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Then add the peeled pears, making sure they are covered in liquid. 

3. Simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the pears are tender and bright red. Remove the pears from the mixture. 

4. Cook the wine mixture down by simmering for an additional 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until your desired sauce consistency is reached. 

5. Serve the cooled pears with vanilla ice cream, the reduced wine sauce, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.