4 large ripe firm pears
1 cup pear nectar
1 cup water
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks, slightly crushed
1 1/2 tsps thyme leaves
4 strips lemon peel

Cinnamon Thyme Poached Pears

1. Peel and core pears* from the bottom, leaving stems intact. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each pear to provide a flat, even bottom. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, add remaining ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil. Add pears and arrange standing with stems pointing up. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20-30 minutes or until pears are tender.
3. Remove pears from saucepan. Continue to cook liquid until reduced to 3/4 cup, for about 15 minutes. Serve pears drizzled with sauce.
4. *Tip: Use a melon baller to core pears; push the smaller end of melon baller into the bottom of the pear, and turn it to bore a hole and scoop out the seeds and fibrous core. This will leave the stem intact.
   Makes 4 servings
   Preparation time: 55 minutes