Vanilla Pear Sauce

15-20 pears, unpeeled, sliced and cored

1/2 to 1 C. white sugar

1 T. lemon juice

1 tsp. high quality cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

2 vanilla bean, split and scraped

 

Place pears in large stock pot or french dutch oven over medium heat. Do not peal pears, the skin has a lot of flavor and nutrition you don’t want to miss out on. Don’t be afraid to fill the pan up to the top, they will cook down to about half their original size. Split the vanilla beans lengthwise with a sharp knife and put the whole thing in the pears and stir. Once the pears start to cook down, add the rest of the ingredients until everything comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and put the lid on the pan. Simmer for 30 to 60 minutes until pears are very soft. Remove vanilla beans and discard. Drain most of the liquid into a C. (so you have some to thin out the sauce or so you can drink it, it’s very tasty). While still warm, mash the pears for a chunky consistency or blend in the blender for a smooth consistency (I prefer smooth). Place in clean canning jars and process in a water bath canner. These make great gifts and add a special flare to any meal.