Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      cups          blush wine
   1      cup           apple juice
   2                    cinnamon sticks
   1      whole         nutmeg
   3                    cloves
   6                    d'anjou pears -- peeled cored and
                        -- cut in half
   2      tablespoons   cornstarch -- or arrowroot powder
     1/4  cup           cold water
     1/4  cup           sugar
                        mint sprigs

Preparation:

Combine the wine, apple juice, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves in a large skillet and heat to simmering. Add the pears, cut sides down. Simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes until the pears are tender. Carefully remove the pears and place them on serving dishes. Discard the spices. Heat the wine mixture to boiling. Mix the cornstarch or arrowroot powder with water and add to the wine. Boil, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove the sauce from the heat and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the sugar. Spoon the sauce over the pears. Garnish with mint to serve. 6 servings/Serving size: 1 pear