Poached Pears

Poached pears are a delicious dessert that’s made of mostly fruit, and the cinnamon-vanilla flavor makes them a great option for the holiday season. It’s also nice to find a dessert you can make in a slow cooker, since you don’t have to watch it as closely as something you’re baking. You just leave it for hours, come back, and it’s ready to go. If it is the holiday season, you’ll probably really appreciate that downtime, considering how hectic things can get.

Ingredients

3/4 cup raw cane sugar
3 cups red wine
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
4 ripe pears, peeled and cored from the bottom, with stem left in place

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker or crock pot. Cook for 6 – 8 hours on low setting.
2. Serve warm or room temperature. You can top pear with Greek yogurt for a tangy taste, or sweeten it further with a sprinkle of cinnamon before serving.

WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE Nearly everyone will be able to eat it this dessert, since it’s vegan and gluten-free. And pears are a great source of fiber and vitamin C.