CINNAMON PEARS
3 (16 oz) cans pear halves in juice
1 (2.25 ounce) package cinnamon red hot candies
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
Drain the liquid from the cans of pears into a saucepan. Add red hot candies to the juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the candy has dissolved. Stir in the food coloring, remove from heat, and allow to cool.
Place the pear halves in a deep bowl. Pour the liquid over the pears, cover, and refrigerate overnight. (You may want to stir a couple of times to evenly distribute the color.) Use to decorate the turkey platter.
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MINT PEARS
3 medium ripe pears
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
5 drops green food coloring
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
Peel pears and cut in half lengthwise; remove cores. In a large skillet, bring sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat; add food coloring and extract. Carefully place pears in syrup. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until tender.
Put pears in deep bowl; pour syrup over pears. (Make sure pears are completely covered in syrup to prevent browning.) Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until serving.