Poached Pear Surprise

Servings: 4
Time: 20 minutes

4 medium ripe pears
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon milk

Chocolate Sauce:
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Fresh mint, optional

Core pears from bottom, leaving stems intact. Peel pears. Cut 1/4 inch from bottom to level if necessary. In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Add pears; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat; stir vanilla into sugar syrup. Spoon over pears. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Meanwhile, combine walnuts, confectioners' sugar, and milk; set aside. For chocolate sauce, in a small saucepan, bring the water, sugar, and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat; add chocolate chips, stirring until melted.

To serve, drain pears well; spoon nut mixture into cavities. Place on dessert plates; top with some of the chocolate sauce. Insert a mint leaf near stem if desired. Serve with the remaining chocolate sauce.