Poached Pears in Muscat

Combine wine, honey, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, fennel seeds, saffron, and salt in a small (3- to 4-quart) Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel pears, and cut in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, remove seeds and core from each half, carving out neat half-spheres. Brush pear halves all over with lemon juice.

Add pears to wine mixture in a single layer. Add 1 cup boiling water or more as needed to just submerge pear halves. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low until tender, 30 to 35 minutes, turning pears every 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pears to a plate, and set aside.

Bring poaching liquid to a light boil over medium, and boil, stirring occasionally, until sweet, syrupy, and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Pour syrup through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids.

Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons fromage blanc onto each of 4 shallow bowls or rimmed dessert plates. Nestle 1 pear half into fromage blanc, upright, if desired. Drizzle each pear half with 2 to 3 tablespoons syrup. Serve warm or chilled.