Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients:

Stuffing:
• 2 Tablespoons margarine
• ½ cup pecans, chopped
• ½ cup apricots, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  
  Pears:
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups water
• 6 pears, peeled and cored
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 (3-inch) Mexican cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon anise seeds
• 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 sheet parchment
  
  Chocolate Sauce:
• ¼ cup margarine
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate (nondairy), chopped
  
  Spicy Vanilla Sabayon:
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure non-alcoholic vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
  
  Garnish:
• Mint
• Berries
  

Method:

For Stuffing:
Melt the margarine in a sauté pan; add the pecans and toast lightly. Stir in the chopped apricots; add the brown sugar and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until a light syrup develops. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

For Pears:
In a sauce pan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the wine and water. Add the pears, vanilla bean and aromatics. Press the parchment paper down into the sauce pan to keep pears submerged in the liquid. Bring to a light simmer and cook until pears are just tender, approximately 10-12 minutes. Remove pears from the liquid and chill. Fill the hollowed pears with apricot stuffing, and refrigerate.

For Chocolate Sauce:
Melt the margarine in a small sauce pan; remove from heat and stir in the chocolate. Take the chilled, stuffed pears and dip them half way into the warm chocolate. Place the pears on a parchment-lined tray and return to the fridge to allow the chocolate to set.

For Spicy Vanilla Sabayon:
Place the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and chili powder in a small mixing bowl. Whisk over a double boiler until the yolks become light and frothy and all the sugar is dissolved.

To Assemble and Serve:
Ladle 1 ounce sabayon into the bottom of each shallow serving bowl. Place 1 chocolate covered, stuffed pear in the center of the bowl. Garnish with fresh mint and berries.

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