Red Wine Poached Pears

"These red wine-poached pears are a very elegant but simple French dessert recipe. Serve them with a dollop of mascarpone cheese, and they are out of this world good. The red wine enhances the sweetness and flavor of the pear, and the spices round off the dish. This dessert is perfectly suited for any special night but works great for Valentine’s Day or over the holidays, too. After poaching the pears, they still hold their shape but become soft and easily can be sliced through with a spoon."