Pears Poached In Vanilla Syrup

1 1/4 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
1 teas vanilla
4 ripe, firm pears, peeled, cored and quartered
Rind of 1 lemon
8 red cherries, halved

In large, heavy saucepan bring water, sugar and vanilla to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

Rub pears gently but firmly with the lemon rind and add fruit with rind to pan.

Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until pears are soft but not pulpy. Remove pan from heat and allow pears to cool in the liquid for 30 minutes.

With slotted spoon, lift fruit out and arrange it in a deep serving dish. Discard lemon rind. Arrange cherry halves in the dish with pears.

Return pan to heat and boil the syrup over high heat until it thickens a little and has reduced in volume. Pour syrup over the fruit in dish and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Serve cold.