Mulled Wine Poached Pears with Toasted Almonds

Deselect All

1 bottle red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon

5 ounces plus 5 tablespoons honey 

4 whole cloves 

3 Thai bird chiles 

2 sticks cinnamon

1 whole star anise 

1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped

4 green Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and quartered (about 2 pounds)

One 4-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature 

Zest of 1/2 lemon 

3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted