Baked Pears

Directions

1. 1
   Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact and dropping the pears as they are peeled into a bowl of cold water acidulated with the juice of the lemon.
2. 2
   In a saucepan combine the wine, 2 cups water, the sugar, the zest, the cinnamon sticks, and the liqueur, bring the liquid to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and simmer the syrup for 5 minutes.
3. 3
   Arrange the pears, drained, on their sides in a baking dish just large enough to hold them in one layer and pour the syrup over them.
4. 4
   Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake the pears in the middle of a preheated 375F.
5. 5
   oven for 30 minutes.
6. 6
   Remove the foil, turn the pears over gently, and replace the foil.
7. 7
   Bake the pears for 20 to 30 minutes more, or until they are tender.
8. 8
   Let the pears cool, transfer them carefully to a deep serving dish, and ladle the cooking syrup with the zest over them.
9. 9
   Chill the pears, covered, overnight and serve them with some of the syrup.