POACHED ASIAN PEARS WITH STAR ANISE AND TROPICAL FRUIT

Poached Asian Pears with Star Anise and Tropical Fruit image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups water
1 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 star anise*
1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
4 large (10 ounces each) Asian pears
1 1 3/4-pound papaya, diced
1 14-to 16-ounce mango, diced
*A brown star-shaped seed pod; available at Asian markets and specialty food stores and some supermarkets.

Steps:

Bring first 7 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
Peel and core pears. Add to syrup. Add enough water to cover pears. Cover pan; simmer until pears are tender, about 40 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pears to bowl. Increase heat; boil liquid until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 25 minutes. Strain syrup; pour over pears. Chill until cold. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill.)
Stand 1 pear in center of each plate. Spoon papaya and mango around pear. Spoon syrup over and serve.