Title: Poached Pears with Dark Chocolate Sauce
Categories: Dessert Fruit Microwave
Yield: 4 Servings
| 1/2 | c | Water |
| 1/4 | c | Brandy |
| 1/4 | c | Sugar |
| 1 | tb | Grated orange rind |
| 2 | tb | Fresh gingerroot, grated |
| 4 | | Whole black peppercorns |
| 4 | | Firm ripe pears |
| 1/3 | c | Lemon juice |
| 2 | | 1-ounce squares semisweet chocolate |
| 2 | tb | Whipping cream |
| 1 | tb | Light corn syrup |
| 1 | tb | Grand Marnier or brandy |
| 1/2 | ts | Vanilla extract |
Combine first 6 ingredients in a 2-quart casserole. Microwave at HIGH 1
to 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Peel pears, and core just from the
bottom, cutting to, but not through, the stem end. Baste pears with lemon
juice.
Place pears on their sides in brandy mixture in casserole. Cover
tightly with heavy-duty plastic wrap; fold back a small edge of wrap to
allow steam to escape. Microwave at HIGH 4 minutes. Uncover, baste pears
with brandy mixture, and turn them over. Cover and microwave at HIGH 3 to
5 minutes or until tender. (A sharp knife should pierce the fruit as it
would room-temperature butter, yet fruit should retain its shape.) Let
pears cool in liquid, turning and basting once. Place pears on individual
serving dishes.
Place chocolate in a 1-quart glass bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%
power) 2 to 3 minutes or until melted, stirring every minute. Cool
slightly. Add whipping cream, corn syrup, Grand Marnier, and vanilla; stir
until smooth. Spoon chocolate sauce over pears. Yield:
4 servings.