SPICED PEAR HALVES

1/4 cup prepared mincemeat
3 tablespoons water
1 orange
1 tablespoon butter
2 fresh pears, peeled, cored and cut in half
1/4 cup white port wine or apple juice, divided

In a 1-cup glass measuring cup, combine mincemeat and water. In a microwave, cook on high 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, stirring once, or until water is absorbed.

From an orange, using a paring knife, a vegetable peeler, or a zerter, remove an 1-inch piece of peel; cut into thin strips (do not cut into the white pulp) and set aside for garnish. Grate remaining orange peel to yield 1/2 teaspoon of zest; stir grated zest and butter into mincemeant. (Reserve remaining orange for another use.)

Place pear halve, cut side up, into an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish. Over each pear half, pour 1 tablespoon wine or apple juice; spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons mincemeat mixture into each half. Cover with wax paper; cook in microwave on high 4 to 6 minutes or until pears are fork-tender. Remove from microwave and let stand 1 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings.