Poached Pears with Prosciutto and Mozzarella

Ingredients

Yield:

4

• • 4 pears, peeled and quartered
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 clove
  • 2 bay leaves, torn in half
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 cup port
  • 1 cup red wine
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 4 sheets of shaved Prosciutto di Parma
  • 2 balls of fresh mozzarella
  • 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup arugula
  • 1 tsp salt

Preparation

Difficulty:

Easy

 

Total Time:

1 Hour

1. 1. In a medium sauce pot, place the pear in an even layer.
   2. Add the port, red wine, sugar and spices and bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat.
   3. Add the bay leaf and cover the pot with a lid and simmer until the pears are fork tender – approximately 20 minutes.
   4. Strain off the liquid and reserve for a cocktail later…Heat the liquid to a boil and mix with a shot of bourbon…serve hot in a coffee mug for a delicious mulled wine!
   5. Cool the pears completely.
   6. When cooled, remove the cores from the pears with a spoon or pairing knife and discard.
   7. Seperately, cut the balls of mozzarella in half, season to taste with salt and pepper and place a half ball in the center of a bowl.
   8. Slice the pears and place them over the mozzarella.
   9. Drizzle the dish with the olive oil.
   10. Top with the shaved ham and garnish with a spoon of the balsamic vinegar, and the arugula.
   11. Serve at room temperature.