(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

4 firm pears, peeled, halved and cored
2 oz butter, chopped
1 cup dessert wine
1/2 cup sugar

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place halved pears in a medium-sized flame-proof baking dish, top with butter. Pour dessert wine over pears and sprinkle with sugar.

Place in oven and bake for about 30 – 40 minutes, turning the pears occasionally. Pears should be browned and tender. Remove pears from caramel and set aside. Place dish with caramel over medium heat and boil (uncovered) until caramel has thickened.

Arrange pears on dessert plates, top with caramel and serve with vanilla ice-cream.