Cranberry-Poached Pears with Vanilla Meringue Crunch

    Author:
    Updated:
    Original:
    Cranberry-Poached Pears with Vanilla Meringue Crunch

    Recipe by Selma Brown Morrow

    • 4Servings

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups cranberry juice
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 6 allspice berries
    • 6 whole cloves
    • 2 pears—halved, cored and peeled
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 6 to 8 meringue cookies, coarsely crushed (about 3/4 cup)
    • chopped pistachios, for garnish

    Preparation

    In bowl, combine first 4 ingredients. Add pears, cut side down; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. (Refrigerate the remaining cranberry juice for cocktails.) Let pears cool. In another bowl, beat cream and vanilla to soft peaks. Divide among plates. Top with pears, crushed meringues and pistachios.