Spring into Action - Pears in Red Wine Sauce

 Okay so we’ve reached spring time (at least that’s what my calendar says) and yes that’s hope enough that the weather will soon become bearable again. After this long, cold winter it’s the small glimmer of hope that the worse is now behind us.  Strangely enough; the minute spring has finally begun, my menu and way of cooking changes.  I no longer feel the need to want to stew or make soup so I gravitate to the new season by incorporating the fresh and cool into my recipes.  One of my favorites is Pears in Red Wine sauce.  I made this for one of my first cooking classes at Don Coqui restaurant, and it was a hit. It’s colorful, delicious and with some of the most simple, everyday ingredients.   The spring is the time to make the most of fruits in the market and incorporating them as much as you can into your meals. They bring coolness to your meal and good for you too!

Pears in Red wine – Serves 6

6 pears

2/3 cup of sugar

1 cinnamon stick

4 cups of red wine

½  water

Place the pears in boiling water for 2 - 3 mins then remove from the water and let cool.

When the pears are cool enough to hold; remove the peel.

Meanwhile put the sugar, wine, water and cinnamon stick in a pan over a medium heat when it starts to boil add the pears and simmer slowly until the pears become soft

When the pears have softened remove them from the liquid and place them in a glass bowl

Leave the liquid simmering a bit longer until it reduces then pour over the pears

Pears can be served warm or cooled in the fridge.