Vanilla Poached Pears

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
  
• 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
  
• ¼ cup agave nectar or dark honey
  
• 2 tbsp orange juice
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  
• Pinch cloves
  
• 2 tbsp grated orange zest
  
• 4 firm, ripe pears
  
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
  
• Fresh mint leaves
  

Preparation:

• Combine water, apple juice, nectar, orange juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, and 1 tbsp of the orange zest in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
  
• Peel, halve, and core pears while poaching liquid is coming to a boil, and immediately coat them in lemon juice
  
• Reduce poaching liquid to a simmer. Add pears, cover, and simmer 2 minutes. Remove pears from heat and allow to cool in liquid. Remove from pan. Heat juice to reduce it by half. Strain liquid and pour over pears. Garnish with remaining orange zest and fresh mint. Enjoy hot or cold.
  

Make 6 Servings:
Weight Loss Recipes Amount per Serving: 110 Calories, 1 g Protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 2 g Fiber, < 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium