Poached Pears

If you are planning to have party this versatile recipe is worthy of being served at your most elegant dinner parties.
• 4 medium size pears, peeled, halved and cored
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup white wine (optional)
• 1 lemon, cut in half

Place the pears in a nonreactive saucepan. Add the apple juice, cinnamon stick, honey, sugar, vanilla, bay leaf, and white wine, if desired, to the pan. Squeeze the juice from the lemon into the pan and add the halves to the pan. Bring the pears to a simmer. Cover with a round of waxed paper or parchment and simmer until the pears are soft but still retain their shape, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf and allow the pears to cool in their cooking liquid.

............