Steamed Pears in Red Wine [Anja’s Warm Spiced Red Wine Recipe]

3 lbs pears [I use shecke], you need a pear that holds its shape
½ cup sugar
1 bottle of light red wine [Ken recommends: Grand Cru Beaujolais, Merlot, Tempranillo, or Grenache]
½ cup black currant liqueur
6 thin slices of fresh ginger
2 lemongrass crushed
3 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cardamom pods

Peel pears, cut in half and take out seeds.
Put all ingredients in a crock pot, make sure pears are completely covered, if needed add water or add more wine.
Simmer on low heat for 12 hours. On the stove in a pan simmer for 2.5 hours on low heat.
Remove pears, cool down completely, transfer liquid to a sauce pan on the stove and reduce liquid into a thick and sticky syrup. Serve as a dessert by itself or warm with vanilla bean ice cream.
When I am having a party, I take out the pears and save for later.
Strain the liquid and serve the wine warm.
A delicious treat on a cold winters night.
Enjoy!!