Poached Asian Pears with Star Anise and Tropical Fruit

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 star anise*
• 1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 4 large (10 ounces each) Asian pears
• 1 1 3/4-pound papaya, diced
• 1 14-to 16-ounce mango, diced
• *A brown star-shaped seed pod; available at Asian markets and specialty food stores and some supermarkets.

1. Bring first 7 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Peel and core pears.
4. Add to syrup.
5. Add enough water to cover pears.
6. Cover pan; simmer until pears are tender, about 40 minutes.
7. Using slotted spoon, transfer pears to bowl.
8. Increase heat; boil liquid until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 25 minutes.
9. Strain syrup; pour over pears.
10. Chill until cold.
11. (Can be made 2 days ahead.
12. Chill.)
13. Stand 1 pear in center of each plate.
14. Spoon papaya and mango around pear.
15. Spoon syrup over and serve.

water, white wine, sugar, lemon juice, anise, cinnamon stick, fresh ginger, asian pears, papaya, mango, markets

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/poached-asian-pears-with-star-anise-and-tropical-fruit-3058 (may not work)