• Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact if possible. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each pear to create a flat base so they can stand upright.
• In a saucepan large enough to hold the pears, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Carefully place the pears in the saucepan, standing them upright. Cover the saucepan and let the pears simmer gently for about 20-25 minutes or until they are tender but not mushy. Turn the pears occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• Once the pears are cooked, remove them from the poaching liquid and let them cool on a plate or a wire rack.

Drizzling with Chocolate:

• Melt the gluten-free dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring until smooth.
• Once the pears have cooled slightly, drizzle the melted chocolate over them using a spoon or by transferring the chocolate to a piping bag for a more controlled drizzle.
• Allow the chocolate to set slightly before serving.
• Optionally, you can sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar or chopped nuts over the pears for added texture and presentation.