Cranberry Cherry Poached Pears

Ingredients

• 1 cup each: 100% cranberry juice and cherry juice
• 1/2 cup honey or agave nectar
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries*
• 1/4 cup almond liqueur (or add additional juice)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 lemon slices
• 6 Bartlett pears, firm but ripe

Instructions

1. Stir all ingredients except pears in a large slow cooker. Peel pears and cut in half; scoop out seeds with a melon baller and discard. Add pears to slow cooker, turning to coat with liquid.
2. Cover and cook on high for 1½ hours or on low for 3 hours, turning pears over halfway through cooking. Remove from slow cooker and chill.
3. Remove dried fruit from liquid with a slotted spoon and set aside. Discard cinnamon sticks and lemon slices. Place liquid in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until reduced to a syrup; let cool.
4. Place pears in 6 small bowls and drizzle with syrup. Top with reserved fruit.