Dried Pears

These are wonderful addition to a cheese course. Serve a few of the dried pears with a few slices of fresh pead and a blue cheese such as a buttery Gorgonzola. This recipe is from the Early Summer 2002 issue of Food and Drink Magazine.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 2  pears

Directions

1. Combine water and sugar in a pot on high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes or until a light syrup forms. Add lemon juice and reduce heat to low. Continue to cook until the syrup is barely simmering.
2. Preheat oven to 200°F.
3. Slice pears into 1/8 inch (3mm) slices lengthwise. Use either a serrated knife or a mandoline. Add pear slices to the sugar syrup and poach for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cslices are slightly translucent.
4. Remove slices with a slotted spoon and drain any syrup back into the pot. Place pear slices on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the miffle of oven and dry for 2 hours or until they are firm but with a little flexibiilty and not quite dry to the touch.
5. Cool and store pear slices in an airtight tin.