Asian Pears with Ginger-Maple Syrup

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon matchstick-size pieces peeled fresh ginger
• 1 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons whiskey or brandy
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 7-ounce chilled Asian pears
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves

1. Combine 1/4 cup water and fresh ginger in heavy medium saucepan.
2. Cover; simmer until ginger is tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in syrup, whiskey, lemon juice, lemon peel and nutmeg.
4. Simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.
5. (Can be made 2 days ahead.
6. Cover; chill.
7. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
8. Slice pears into rounds.
9. Overlap 6 rounds on each plate.
10. Drizzle sauce over.
11. Top with crystallized ginger and mint.

water, matchstick, maple syrup, whiskey, lemon juice, ground nutmeg, asian pears, ginger, mint leaves

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/asian-pears-with-ginger-maple-syrup-5142 (may not work)