CHOCOLATE-WRAPPED PEARS

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Chocolate-Wrapped Pears image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups sugar
8 cups water
Juice of 2 lemons
4 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
1/4 cup creme de menthe
12 firm, ripe pears with stems
8 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened
Fresh or crystallized mint

Steps:

  • Dissolve the sugar in the water. Add the lemon juice, spices and creme de menthe and simmer, tightly covered, for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Peel the pears carefully, leaving stems intact, and cut a slice off the bottoms so they will stand upright.
  • Poach the pears in gently boiling syrup until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool pears in the syrup and then chill thoroughly, preferably overnight.
  • Melt the chocolate in a bowl over warm water. Add the butter and stir until it is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Remove the pears from the syrup and dry carefully with paper towel. Dip each pear in the melted chocolate to coat evenly. Use a spoon, if necessary, to fill in uncoated spots. Lift the pears out of the chocolate to drain off excess. Arrange on serving dish. Decorate the top of each pear with a sprig of fresh or crystallized mint. Chill until ready to serve.

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