Maple, Pear and Ricotta Parfaits

• HEALTHY
• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 2 1/2 cups water
2. 1/3 cup maple syrup
3. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4. Four 8-ounce firm but ripe Bartlett pears—peeled, cored and quartered
5. 1 tablespoon sugar
6. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
7. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8. One 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
9. 1/4 cup unsalted roasted pistachios, coarsely chopped

1. In a large nonreactive saucepan, combine the water, maple syrup and lemon juice. Add the pears and simmer over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until tender, about 35 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the poached pears to a work surface. Thinly slice the pears.
2. Bring the poaching liquid to a boil and stir in the sugar, butter and vanilla. Simmer over moderate heat until the liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, 8 to 10 minutes.
3. In a bowl, whisk the ricotta until smooth and dollop a third of the cheese into 6 glasses. Top with half of the pears. Repeat with another dollop of ricotta and the remaining pears. Spoon the remaining ricotta on top and drizzle with the reduced poaching liquid. Sprinkle the pistachios on top and serve immediately.