Pears in Red Wine

• 8 very small or 4 medium pears, weighing about 2 lb. (900 g) in total
• Juice of ½ lemon

Preferably use a smooth-skinned variety of pear. Small ones need not be peeled (simply rinse them off and dry with a cloth); large ones can be peeled, cored, and then halved or quartered if desired (see Note).

Place the pears in a saucepan just large enough to hold them (stand small pears upright). Add the lemon juice, sugar, red wine, vanilla, thy