2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
1 piece cinnamon stick (about 3)
2 tbsp lemon juice
4 firm pears

Sauce:

1/4 cup cream (half-half)
1/4 cup sugar
1 oz unsweetened chocolate
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp almond extract

Instructions:

In a two quart microwave safe casserole dish, combine water, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Microwave at HIGH (100% power) for 4 minutes, covered.

In the meantime, pare pears, cut thin slice off each bottom so that pear will stand up. Leave the stems on.

Place pears in the casserole dish with hot syrup and microwave covered at HIGH for 10 minutes. Turn the pears after 5 minutes. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Sauce:

In a medium size bowl, combine cream and sugar. Microwave, uncovered, at HIGH for two minutes, After 1 minute, give it a quick stir. Add the chocolate and microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir until the chocolate has completely melted. Add almond extract and butter and stir until melted.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of chocolate sauce onto each dessert plate, top with a pear and pour another tablespoon of sauce on top.

Serve immediately!

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