Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce

If chocolate is your heart’s desire, pair it with pears. This healthy dessert for your sweetheart provides fiber, piquant lemon (what relationship doesn’t need a little tang?) and a version of chocolate that is low in fat . It’s quick and easy, too!

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Makes 4 servings.
Per serving:122 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 32 g carbohydrates,
<1 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 7 mg sodium.

1 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Grated rind and juice of ½ lemon
1 cinnamon stick

2 fresh, ripe pears
2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
2 Tbsp. dried cherries or dried cranberries (optional)

Directions

In large saucepan, combine water, sugar, lemon rind, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
Peel, halve and core pears. Add pears to boiling syrup. (Pears should be covered in liquid; if not, double the amount of poaching liquid or poach in batches.) Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently 15-20 minutes until pears are almost tender.
Remove from heat and let cool in liquid. Drain pears thoroughly and pat dry on paper towels. Place halves on individual plates.
Drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with dried cherries or cranberries. Serve at room temperature.