Agave Vanilla Poached Pears

YIELD: 4 servings

½ cup agave syrup
1 vanilla bean
4 ripe pears

1.    Bring 4 cups of water and syrup to a boil in small, deep saucepan over medium-high heat. Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer.
2.    Split vanilla bean down the center lengthwise using a paring knife or spoon. Scrape out vanilla bean seeds and stir into honey water mixture along with the scraped pod.
3.    Add pears to pot. Simmer pears about 10 minutes, until they become soft, but not mushy. Transfer pears to 4 bowls.
4.    Increase heat under syrup to medium-high and cook 10-15 minutes, or until syrup has reduced and thickened. Pour syrup over each pear.