pear pecan tart

1 bottle red wine (i have great results using Wild Hog 2005 dolcetto)
1 star anise
6 pears, halved and cored
1/4 cup agave
place the above in  a sauce pan and bring to simmer, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
After removing the pears, peel them and slice them.

for the crust
3 cups pecans
6 dates
1/2 tsp salt
innards of 1 vanilla bean, split and deseeded

place he above in a food processor and grind down. Pat into a tart pan.

place pears in concentric circles in the crust and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.