Ingredients
1 cup water1/2 cup sugar1 lemon slice1 piece cinnamon stick (1 inch)2 medium firm pears with stems attached4 red-hot candies1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1/8 teaspoon almond extract2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Preparation
In a saucepan, bring the water, sugar, lemon slice and cinnamon stick to a boil. Carefully peel pears, leaving stem attached; add to sugar mixture. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pears are tender, turning occasionally.
Carefully remove pears and set aside. Add red-hots to sugar syrup; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until syrup is reduced by half. Remove from the heat; discard lemon and cinnamon.
Stir in extracts. Return pears to sauce; cool to room temperature. To serve, spoon sauce onto dessert plates; top with pears. Sprinkle with almonds.
