Poached Pear Sundaes

• 3 large ripe pears
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon maple syrup, divided
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon margarine
• 1 (1-ounce) square semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3 cups pralines-and-cream ice cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped almonds, toasted

1. Peel and core pears; cut in half lengthwise, and brush with lemon juice.
2. Cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Scrape seeds into a large saucepan. Add vanilla bean halves, 1 cup maple syrup, and apple juice to saucepan; bring to a boil. Add pears; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until tender, turning once. Remove and discard vanilla bean halves. Transfer pears and poaching liquid to a bowl; cover and chill thoroughly.
3. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently until sugar dissolves. Add whipping cream; bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add margarine and chocolates; stir until chocolates melt. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Cool completely.
4. Transfer pears to 6 dessert plates, using a slotted spoon. Discard poaching liquid. Top each pear with 1/2 cup ice cream. Spoon chocolate sauce evenly over ice cream, and sprinkle evenly with almonds. Serve immediately.

pears, lemon juice, vanilla bean, maple syrup, apple juice, sugar, water, whipping cream, margarine, chocolate, chocolate, pralinesandcream ice cream, almonds

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/poached-pear-sundaes (may not work)