Pears in Red Wine

Description
From Southern Living Holiday Meals 1982
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

 * 6 medium pears
 * 2 cups red wine
 * 1½ cups water
 * ½ cup sugar
 * ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
 * 3 lemon slices
 * 3 orange slices
 * orange rind strips (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Peel pears, removing core from bottom and leaving stems intact.
 * 2) Slice about ¼ inch from base of each pear so they will sit flat.
 * 3) Combine next 6 ingredients in a dutch oven over medium heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
 * 4) Place pears in Dutch oven in upright position; cover and continue to cook 40 minutes or until pears are tender.
 * 5) Remove from heat; allow to cool.
 * 6) Cover and refrigerate several hours.
 * 7) To serve, spoon pears and syrup into serving dishes; garnish with a strip of orange rind, if desired.