Halve pear and scoop out center core with a melon baller. Coat each cut side with Asian five-spice.
In a small lidded skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add pear halves, cut-side down. Brown for 5-10 minutes.
Add the liquid and brown sugar. Simmer gently, covered, for 10-20 minutes until tender (turn once to cook evenly). Remove pear halves and keep warm. Cook remaining sauce until it coats the back of a spoon. Don’t overcook or sauce will caramelize.
Place pear halves, cut-side up, on a serving dish. Place a scoop of frozen yogurt in center of each and surround with spice sauce. (To reheat: Stop cooking process as soon as pears are heated through. Store in refrigerator in poaching liquid. To serve, reheat pear halves and sauce, and proceed with recipe.)