Roasted Warren Pears

This is a wonderful simple dessert that can be put together at the last minute.

4 ripe Warren or Bosc pears

1-2 tablespoons organic sugar

½ cup mixed chopped dried fruits, such as cherries, peaches, raisins or persimmons (optional)

¾ cup fruity white wine or sauternes

1 vanilla bean cut in half horizontally and lengthwise

Lemon zest and juice of 2 lemons

Peel the pears and cut off bottom ½ inch so they sit flat and upright.

Place the pears in the pan with the dried fruit. Sprinkle with sugar, wine, lemon juice and zest. Scrape out the seeds from inside the vanilla bean and spread some of seed-paste on the pears.

Bake at 400ºF for 20-25 minutes, or until pierced easily with a knife.

Serve warm with ice cream. Make sure to get every last drop of syrup!

From the kitchen of Becky Courchesne