It just means cooking something at a simmer. [ Finished denuding two pears, Hei hands Korra the last fruit with the peeler. His calm look makes the intent clear: You do this one. Taking the bottle of red wine, he twists it open with a sharp crack. Sets a non-reactive saucepan at the stove over medium flame, and pours roughly three cups of wine in. A sprinkle of sugar, one bright strip of lemon zest and a cinnamon stick follow, before he adds over his shoulder, ]

Make sure you leave the pear's stem attached. [ Then, more wryly, ] This dessert won't get you drunk. But it's not so sticky-sweet you'll puke it up either.