Combine 2 ½ cups apple cider, ¾ cup white sugar (here, vanilla-infused sugar), ½ cup orange juice, the zest of one orange (here, a lemon), 3 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 vanilla pod (split lengthwise) in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves, and then immediately reduce to a simmer. Separately, peel, core, trim, and split lengthwise 6 pears. Place pear halves in the cider mixture, then cover and simmer until tender (about 45 mins-1 hour), turning over pear halves once in the middle of simmering. Serve warm and enjoy. This recipe is from Cider Poached Pears by Kelsey Nixon and available on Cooking Channel’s website. (Sept. 2014)
Cooking Adventures 