Red Wine Poached Pears with Orange & Pistachio Cream

• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup caster sugar
• 2 x 5cm pieces orange rind
• 2 star anise
• 6 Buerre Bosc pears, peeled, halved and cored Safeway 1 lb For $1.88 thru 02/09
• 250 g PHILADELPHIA Light Spreadable Cream Cheese
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachio nuts
• 1/4 cup caster sugar, extra
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind
• pistachio nuts, extra, for decoration

1. COMBINE the wine, water, sugar, orange rind and star anise in a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add the pears and simmer for 20 minutes until tender.
4. Remove pears and allow to cool.
5. Simmer the liquid until reduced by half.
6. Cool.
7. COMBINE PHILLY, orange juice, nuts, extra sugar and orange rind.
8. Place 2 pear halves on each serving plate.
9. Dollop with pistachio cream, drizzle with syrup and sprinkle over extra nuts.
10. Serve immediately.
11. HANDY TIP: Substitute white wine for red wine if desired.

red wine, water, caster sugar, orange rind, anise, philadelphia, orange juice, pistachio nuts, caster sugar, orange rind, pistachio nuts

Taken from www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/red-wine-poached-pears-orange-pistachio-cream-127918.aspx (may not work)