Title: Asian pears with ginger-maple syrup
 Categories: Desserts, Fruits
      Yield: 6 Servings
 
    1/4 c  Water
      1 tb Matchstick size pieces
           -peeled fresh ginger
      1 c  Pure maple syrup
      2 tb Whiskey or brandy
      1 ts Fresh lemon juice
      1 ts Grated lemon peel
    1/2 ts Ground nutmeg
      4    7 oz. chilled Asian pears
      2 tb Finely chopped crystallized
           -ginger
      1 tb Finely chopped fresh mint
           -leaves
 
  Combine 1/4 cup water and fresh ginger in heavy medium saucepan.
  Cover; simmer until ginger is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in syrup,
  whiskey, lemon juice, lemon peel and nutmeg. Simmer 10 minutes to
  blend flavors, stirring occasionally.  (Can be made 2 days ahead.
  Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before continuing).
  
  Slice pears into rounds.  Overlap rounds on each plate. Drizzle sauce
  over. Top with crystallized ginger and mint. Yield: 6 servings