Ingredients

1 (375-ml) bottle Sauternes wine or other sweet dessert wine
2 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 stick cinnamon
4 cloves
4 Bosc pears
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup (about 4 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola, softened at room temperature
1-ounce cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon honey
Pinch salt

Pinch freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup lightly toasted chopped walnuts

Instructions

In a large saucepan
combine the wine, water, sugar, cinnamon and cloves over medium-high heat and bring to a
boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. While the poaching liquid is heating, peel
the pears, leaving the stem intact. Rub the pears with lemon juice as you are working with
them to keep them from discoloring. When the poaching liquid has come to a boil, add the
pears and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes.

When the pears are tender, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove them from the poaching
liquid and transfer to a plate and allow to cool. Return the poaching liquid to a boil and
cook until liquid has reduced to a syrup, about 20 minutes. Strain the syrup and transfer
syrup to a bowl. Discard solids. Set syrup aside until cooled to room temperature.

When they have cooled, use a melon baller to carefully remove the inner core of the pears,
working from the bottom of the pears, so that no seeds or rough matter remains. Pat pears
dry inside and out and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl combine the Gorgonzola, cream cheese, honey and salt and pepper and
mix until thoroughly combined. Transfer the cheese mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a
plain tip and pipe the mixture into the cavity of each pear, dividing the mixture evenly
among the pears. Place the pears on dessert plates and drizzle with the cooled syrup.
Garnish with chopped walnuts and serve at room temperature.