Sweet Pears in Chocolate Sauce

Sweet Pears in Chocolate Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 pears, peeled, halved, and seeded 1 bar (3.5 oz.) dark bittersweet chocolate, chopped Sweetened whipped cream, optional 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted Directions 1. In a large saucepan, bring wine, orange juice, water, and sugar to a boil. Add pears; reduce heat to low and simmer, turning pears occasionally until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove pears. Turn off heat and whisk chocolate into pear syrup until smooth. 2. To serve, arrange 2 pear halves in a bowl and drizzle with half the chocolate syrup. Dollop with whipped cream, if desired, and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon toasted almonds. Makes 2 servings.