Serves: 8

• Ingredients

8 ripe pears
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dark rum
1 cup sour cream

• preparation

Peel pears, quarter, and core. Place in a round baking dish.
Sprinkle brown sugar on top.
Dot with butter. Pour rum in bottom of dish. Cover with foil Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Remove foil, baste and bake until pears are cooked and tender. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Serves: 8

This recipe is adapted from Fine Cooking

• Ingredients

2 ounces unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces (4 tablespoons)
about 1 pound medium firm-ripe Bosc pears

For the Cake:
6 3/4 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour (1-1/2 cups)
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened (8 tablespoons)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs

Basic Caramel:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• preparation

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x2-inch round cake pan (don't use a springform pan, as the caramel might leak out during baking). Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment and butter the top of the paper.
Make the Topping:

1. Peel, core, and cut the pears lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the pear slices on the bottom of the pan in a circle around the edge, overlapping them slightly, with the pointed ends towards the center. If necessary, cut a little off the pointed ends to make the slices fit better. Or if the pear slices don't reach all the way to the middle, arrange a few of the shorter slices in the center to cover the bottom of the pan.
2. Make the Basic Caramel according to the directions. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the 4 tablespoons of butter one piece at a time, until they are completely melted. Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pears (it should spread over the pears and onto the bottom of the pan).

Make the Cake Batter:

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and salt into a medium bowl. Stir to combine. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and vanilla.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Turn the mixer to medium and slowly add the brown sugar. Increase the speed to high and continue to mix until lightened in texture and color, 2 to 3 minutes total. Reduce the speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Reduce the speed to low and alternate adding the flour mixture and milk mixture in five additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix each addition just enough to incorporate, as overmixing will lead to a tougher cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl one last time and mix briefly to blend well.
Bake the cake:

1. Spoon the batter in large dollops over the pears and smooth it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Bake the cake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Turn a cake plate upside down on top of the cake pan and, using pot holders, carefully invert the cake pan onto the plate.
Basic Caramel:

1. Fill a cup measure halfway with water and put a pastry brush in it; this will be used for washing down the sides of the pan to prevent crystallization. In a heavy-duty 2-quart saucepan, stir the sugar, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup cold water. Brush down the sides of the pan with water to wash away any sugar crystals.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, occasionally brushing down the sides of the pan, until the mixture starts to color around the edges, 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Gently swirl the pan once to even out the color and prevent the sugar from burning in isolated spots. Continue to cook until the sugar turns medium amber, about 30 seconds more. (Once the mixture begins to color, it will darken very quickly, so keep an eye on it.)

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 large ripe pears
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 sheets phyllo pastry
icing sugar

• preparation

Toss fresh cranberries with cornstarch. Reserve.
Peel pears; core and chop into bite-size pieces.
Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add pears and toss to coat in butter. Sprinkle with sugar and add fresh cranberries. Cook, tossing, until pears are golden and cranberries are beginning to split.
Stir in dried cranberries, orange peel, ginger and cinnamon. Cool to room temperature.
Melt remaining butter. Spread a sheet of phyllo on counter and brush evenly with butter. Add remaining layers, brushing liberally with butter between each layer. Leaving a 1-inch border along one of the short sides of the pastry and at top and bottom, spoon the pear mixture in a band down the side of the phyllo.
Fold over the edge and roll to encase fruit. Brush all edges with additional butter and press together to fully encase fruit.
Turn phyllo bundle so that the seam side faces down on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Brush remaining butter over top.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice three vent holes in strudel using a sharp knife. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden .
Cool pan on a rack. Sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve sliced at room temperature or warm.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

9 sheets phyllo
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup sugar

Filling:
3 cups cranberries
4 pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon grated orange rind

For garnish:
mint leaves, phyllo flowers and frosted cranberries

• preparation

Filling:
Set aside 1/4 cup of the cranberries for garnish. Combine cranberries, pears, raisins, sugar and orange juice. Bring to boil; cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pears are almost tender and cranberries pop.
Combine cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water; stir into fruit mixture. Cook for about 1 minute. or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in orange rind. Let cool.
Arrange 1 sheet phyllo on work surface. Brush lightly with butter. Place in lightly butter 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom, letting excess hang over edge. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Brush second sheet with butter, place on first, rotating a quarter turn. Sprinkle with another 2 teaspoons sugar. Layer with 2 more sheets, brushing each sheet with butter, sprinkling with sugar and rotating so not aligned with layers below.
Spread filling over phyllo crust. Fold pastry edges over top. Layer remaining phyllo on top, rotating, buttering and sprinkling with sugar. Gently fold top pastry under bottom. Using knife, cut vents in top of pastry. (Tart can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated covered for up to 4 hours).
Bake in 400 degree oven 30-35 minutes until pastry is crisp and golden. Remove from oven; let stand for 10 minutes in pan on rack. Remove from pan; slide onto serving platter. Garnish: top with phyllo flowers. Scatter frosted cranberries on top and around side. Top with orange rind, and mint. Serve warm.
For garnish: Phyllo flowers: Arrange 2 stacks of phyllo pastry on work surface. cut out six 4-inch circles; wet center of 1 circle with water; top with second circle. Pinch centers together to make flower shapes. Spray with non-stick cooking spray; place in small muffin cups. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Repeat with remaining circles. Bake in 400 degree oven until golden.
Frosted Cranberries: In bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white until frothy. Pour 1/4 cup sugar in shallow bowl. Dip reserved cranberries, a few at a time, in egg white; remove with slotted spoon. Roll in sugar until coated. Place on paper towel; let dry at room temperature for 1 hour.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

9 sheets phyllo
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup sugar

Filling:
3 cups cranberries
4 pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon grated orange rind

For garnish:
phyllo flowers and frosted cranberries

• preparation

Filling:
Set aside 1/4 cup of the cranberries for garnish. Combine cranberries, pears, raisins, sugar and orange juice. Bring to boil; cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pears are almost tender and cranberries pop.
Combine cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water; stir into fruit mixture. Cook for about 1 minute. or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in orange rind. Let cool.
Arrange 1 sheet phyllo on work surface. Brush lightly with butter.
Place in lightly butter 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom, letting excess hang over edge. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Brush second sheet with butter, place on first, rotating a quarter turn.
Sprinkle with another 2 teaspoons sugar.
Layer with 2 more sheets, brushing each sheet with butter, sprinkling with sugar and rotating so not aligned with layers below.
Spread filing over phyllo crust. Fold pastry edges over top.
Layer remaining phyllo on top, rotating, buttering and sprinkling with sugar.
Gently fold top pastry under bottom.
Using knife, cut vents in top of pastry.
Tart can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated covered for up to 4 hours.
Bake in 400 degree oven 30-35 minutes until pastry is crisp and golden. Remove from oven; let stand for 10 minutes in pan on rack.
Remove from pan; slide onto serving platter.
Garnish:
Top with phyllo flowers. Scatter Frosted Cranberries on top and around side.
Top with orange rind, and mint (if using) Serve warm. For garnish: Phyllo flowers:
Arrange 2 stacks of phyllo pastry on work surface. cut out six-4 inch circles; wet center of 1 circle with water; top with second circle. Pinch centres together to make flower shapes. Spray with non-stick cooking spray; place in small muffin cups.
Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons sugar.
Repeat with remaining circles.
Bake in 400 degree oven until golden.
Frosted Cranberries:
In bowl, lightly beat 1 egg white until frothy. Pour 1/4 cup sugar in shallow bowl. Dip reserved cranberries, a few at a time, in egg white; remove with slotted spoon.
Roll in sugar until coated. Place on paper towel; let dry at room temperature for 1 hour.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 cups water
10 ounces sugar
1 ounce lemon juice
2 cups fruit pulp and juice (apricot, kumquat, lemon, orange, peaches, pears, pineapple, raspberry, strawberries, tangerine)

• preparation

In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil. Add lemon juice and fruit pulp.
Refrigerate until cold. Churn in an ice-cream machine.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

For the sauce:
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon Calvados
Pears:
4 small bartlet pears, peeled (About 5 oz each)
4 teaspoons red currant jelly
1 pound puff pastry sheets
1 egg yolk, beaten for glaze
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

• preparation

For the sauce:
Stir sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
Increase heat and boil until syrup turns deep-amber color. Remove from heat.
Carefully stir in cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Cool. Stir in calvados. (can be made 1 or 2 days ahead.) Cover and chill.
For pears:
Cut off top of 1½ inches from stem end of the pears and reserve.
Core each pear through top, leaving bottom intact. Spoon 1 teaspoon jelly into hole of each pear. Replace stem end.
Roll out puff pastry about ¼ inch thick. Cut out 4 8-inch rounds and 4 2-inch rounds.
Place pear in center of each 8-inch pastry round. Gather pastry around each pear and pinch pastry to hold in place. Brush pastry with egg glaze.
Make hole in center of each 2-inch pastry round. Fit 1 round over stem of each pear to form top.
Press firmly against pastry bottom to seal.
Brush pastry top with egg glaze. Cut out 4 small leaves from pastry scraps. Brush with egg and place 1 leaf just below stem of each pear.
Refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter baking sheet.
Place pears on sheet and bake until pastry is golden brown, about 25 min.
Rewarm caramel sauce, stirring frequently. Spoon sauce over 4 plates.
Place hot pear in center of each plate. Serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Serves: 6

This topping is excellent on hot biscuits or fresh bread. Refrigerated, it will keep for about one week.

• Ingredients

2 medium pears or apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup water
3/4 to 1 cup organic or raw sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons Brandy (optional)

• preparation

In a medium saucepan combine pears or apples, cranberries, orange juice, zest, and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes or until fruit is tender.
Purée in a blender until smooth. Return to pan and add sugar and brandy, if desired.
Cook on medium-low, stirring frequently, until very thick.
Once the "topping" begins to thicken, stir constantly so mixture doesn't burn. Cool before serving.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

pâte brisée:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, beaten for glazing the baked crust
3 pears, fresh poached in sugar, water, and vanilla or or 6 canned pear halves

Almond pastry cream:

1cup milk
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup finely ground almonds
1 tablespoon kirsch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Apricot glaze:
1/2 cup apricot jam
1 tablespoon Kirsch

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine flour, egg, water, sugar, vanilla and butter. Process until dough forms a bowl. Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough 1/8-inch thick to fit an 8 inch fluted removable-bottomed tart pan.
Cover with parchment paper, fill the center with weights, and bake until the edges start to brown. Remove weights and paper. Brush bottom and sides with egg glaze.
Arrange pears over bottom of pie crust.

Almond pastry cream:
In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Whip egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix in cornstarch. Stir in the hot milk. Pour in a saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in the almond, kirsch and butter. Spoon mixture over pears and bake for 15 minutes. Cool on rack.
For glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt the apricot jam over low heat. Stir in the kirsch. Strain through a fine strainer and spoon over pie to glaze.

Serves: 6

Pears and apples team together in the Fall for this easy crisp dessert

• Ingredients

6 cups chopped, cored and peeled pears
2 cups shopped, cored and peeled apples
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Topping:
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/3 cup salted butter melted

• preparation

Topping: In small bowl, whisk together oats, sugar, flour and nutmeg; drizzle with butter, tossing with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over pear mixture.

Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven for 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown. Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold. Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Serves: 10

This homey cake is great as a casual dessert, coffee cake or after-school treat.
Source : Canadian Living Magazine

• Ingredients

2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
2-1/2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cardamom or cinnamon
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
3 eggs
1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, melted
1/4 cup (60 mL) pear nectar

Pear Filling:
3 ripe pears, (about 1-1/4 lb/625 g)
1 tbsp (15 mL) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) all-purpose flour

Walnut Streusel:
1/2 cup (125 mL) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar
1 Pinch salt
1/4 cup (60 mL) butter, cubed
1/2 cup (125 mL) coarsely chopped walnuts

• preparation

Walnut Streusel: In bowl, stir together flour, sugar and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Set aside.

In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cardamom and salt.
In large bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar until pale; beat in butter. Stir in flour mixture alternately with pear nectar, making 2 additions of flour mixture and 1 of pear nectar. Set aside.

Pear Filling: Peel, halve and core pears; thinly slice crosswise. In bowl, toss together pears, sugar and flour. Set aside.

Scrape half of the batter into parchment paper–lined 9-inch (2.5 L) square metal pan. Arrange pears over top. Dollop remaining batter over pears; spread evenly. Sprinkle with streusel.
Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven until golden and cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, 1 hour. Let cool on rack.

Serves: 8

This classic Pear Frangipane Tart is also called Tarte Bourdaloue in French, The name Bourdaloue is a street in Paris where the tart was created.

• Ingredients

Pâte Sucrée (Sweet Shortcrust Pastry)
100 gr Unsalted Butter - soft
50 gr Icing Sugar, sifted
1 Egg large, at room temperature
50 gr Almond Meal
200 gr Plain / All-Purpose Flour
1 pinch salt

For thePoached Pears:
3 Pears – firm (Bartlett Pears, Anjou Pears, or Bosc Pears)

1,5 litre water - or enough to cover the pears
50 gr sugar
20 ml lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Almond Cream Filling:

100 gr unsalted butter - softened
100 gr super fine sugar
2 eggs - about 100gr, at room temperature
100 gr almond meal
sliced almonds (optional) - to taste
Simple Syrup Glaze (optional)
45 ml pear cooking liquid
45 gr Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - optional

• preparation

Pâte Sucrée (Sweet Shortcrust Pastry)
• In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the soft Butter and sifted Icing Sugar for a couple of minutes or until smooth.
• Mix in the Egg and Almond Meal, then add the Flour and Salt. Mix on low until the dough is well mixed and smooth.
• Place the flat pastry in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
• Take the pastry out of the fridge and leave to come back to room temperature for about 5 minutes.
• Transfer it inside over a Tart Pan (I used a 24 cm / 9,5 to 10-inch diameter Tart Pan with Removable Bottom). Gently press the pastry down into the corner of the pan to create a 90 degree angle.

Poached Pears
• Peel the Pears, slice them in half and core them.
• In a large saucepan, mix together the water, lemon Juice the sugar and vanilla. Simmer over medium to dissolve the sugar. Add the pear halves. Cook on low for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pears are slightly soft.
• Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer them over a wire rack covered with paper towel to cool down and drain slightly. Save 1 cup of the cooking liquid for the glaze below. Cut each pear halves into thin slices of about half a centimetre (1/5 inch). Set aside.
Almond Cream Filling
• In a mixing bowl, cream together the soft Butter and Sugar with a mixer for about 3 minutes on medium speed or until very soft and creamy.
• Slowly mix in the Egg, then the Almond Meal until a thick paste comes together.
Assembling the Tart
• Preheat your oven on 160 degree Celsius / 325 degree Fahrenheit.
• Spread the Almond Cream at the bottom of the par-baked tart crust.
• Place each Poached Pear over the cream using a small offset spatula to lift them up. Lightly press them into the cream. Sprinkle some sliced Almonds between each pear.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the almond filling has puffed up and looks golden.
Simple Syrup Glaze (optional)
• In a small saucepan, combine the cooking syrup, sugar and vanilla. Bring to a simmer and reduce to a thick consistency. Brush it over the pears while still warm.

Serves: 6

Fresh-picked pears are simmered to an intensely flavored paste letting you capture that harvest flavor all year long. In this dish, tender gnocchi coated in a light cream sauce fragrant with pears and Pinot Grigio and a slight bitterness of wilted greens are finished with salted butter hazelnuts. The dish is simple to put together and can stand on its own as a main course or served with baked fish or chicken. Top with finely shredded washed-rind cheese or Parmesan if you like.
Recipe adapted from LCBO Food and Drink, ON Canada

• Ingredients

2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
¼ cup (60 mL) hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
½ cup (125 mL) Pinot Grigio
1 cup (250 mL) whipping cream
¼ cup (60 mL) Pear Paste
1 lb (500 g) fresh potato gnocchi
3 cups (750 mL) packed chopped Swiss chard
(leaves and tender stems) or baby kale

• preparation

1 Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat until bubbling; add hazelnuts and toast them, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl. 2 Add onion to butter in skillet and sauté for about 3 minutes or until softened. Add gar- lic, ½ tsp (2 mL) salt, and pepper to taste and sauté for about 1 minute or until just slightly golden. Pour in wine and boil, scraping up any brown bits stuck to pan, until reduced by about half. Stir in whipping cream and Bartlett Pear Paste and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring often to help pear paste melt, for about 3 min- utes or until sauce is slightly thickened. 3 Meanwhile, cook gnocchi in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package di- rections, about 3 to 4 minutes, or until they float and are just tender. 4 Add Swiss chard to sauce and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until just wilted. Using a heat- proof strainer, scoop gnocchi out of water and add to sauce; stir gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Season hazelnuts with salt. Spoon gnocchi into warmed serving bowls and serve topped with hazelnuts. Serves 4 to 6

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 cans (1-lb, 14-oz size) pear halves
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon butter
1 9-inch puff pastry circle
1 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Drain pears. Caramelize sugar with ¼ cup water until golden brown.
Pour caramel into the bottom of an 8½-inch round baking dish. Arrange pears, rounded side down on caramelized sugar.
Top with a second layer. Dot with butter. Bake 25 minutes. Bake pastry circle for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Place circle over pears.
Place serving plate over the top of pastry circle. Invert; remove baking dish.
Whip cream with sugar until firm. Garnish pears with whipped cream rosettes.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

8 pears, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter

• preparation

Base:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Stir pears with cranberries, sugar, flour, lemon rind, cinnamon and ginger. Place in prepared baking dish.
Topping:
Using a fork, stir flour with oats and brown sugar. Drizzle butter over flour mixture and toss until mixture is crumbly.
Sprinkle evenly over fruit.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until topping is golden and pears are tender.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

Sauce:
1 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
1/4 cup pear nectar
3 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
Crust:
nonstick vegetable oil spray
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, husked
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter
Filling:
1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled pear
2/3 cup pear nectar
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

• preparation

For sauce:
Purée all ingredients in blender. Strain into small bowl.
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line four 3/4 cup soufflé dishes or custard cups with foil; spray lightly with nonstick spray. Finely grind nuts and sugar in processor. Add butter, blend until mixture holds together. Press 1/4 of nut mixture onto bottom of each prepared dish.
Place dishes on baking sheet, bake crusts until slightly darker in color, 8 minutes. Set aside. Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
Combine pear and nectar in small saucepan. Boil over medium heat until mixture resembles chunky sauce, stirring occasionally. Cool completely.
Beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in 2/3 cup chunky pear sauce (reserve any remaining sauce for another use) .
Divide filling among crusts. Bake cakes until center is set and slightly puffed, about 30 minutes.
Cool in dishes on rack. Cover; chill overnight. Using foil as aid, lift cakes from dishes.
Peel foil from sides. Slide spatula under crusts and transfer cakes to plates. Spoon pear-raspberry sauce around cakes.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

6 ripe pears
2 cups dry white wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup apricot jam

• preparation

Peel and core the pears.
Cut them into quarters. Place the pears in a saucepan and add the wine and sugar.
Peel the lemon and cut the peel into very fine julienne strips. Reserve the lemon for another use. Add the peel to the saucepan.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until pears are tender.
Transfer the pears and the lemon peel to a serving dish. Bring the liquid in the saucepan to the boil and add the remaining ingredients.
Bring to the boil and cook for about 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to half.
Pour the sauce over the pears. Let cool and chill.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

6 ripe pears
2 cups red wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 stick cinnamon
3 whole cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• preparation

Peel and core the pears. Cut them into quarters.
Place the pears in a saucepan and add the wine and sugar. Peel the lemon and cut the peel into very fine julienne strips. Reserve the lemon for another use.
Add the peel to the saucepan with cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until pears are tender.
Transfer the pears and the lemon peel to a serving dish.
Bring the liquid in the saucepan to the boil.
Reduce to half or until liquid becomes syrupy. Pour the sauce over the pears.
Let cool and chill.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

For poached pears:
4 juice oranges
1 lemon, halved
8 cups water
2 cups sugar
6 firm-ripe Anjou pears

For caramel:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 whole clove
5 cardamon pods
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
3 tablespoons chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts

• preparation

Poach pears:
Remove zest of orange in strips with a vegetable peeler and cut away any white pith from strips. Squeeze juice from oranges and lemon into a 6-quart pot and add lemon halves, water, sugar, and zest.
Peel pears, leaving stems attached, and add to pot. Simmer pears until just tender, and cool in liquid. (Poached pears will continue to cook a bit as they cool).
Make caramel:
Put sugar in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and crumble brown sugar over. Melt sugars, undisturbed, over moderate heat until granulated sugar is mostly melted. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork until a deep golden caramel.
Carefully pour in cream (mixture will bubble up and caramel will harden slightly) and stir in clove, cardamon pods, fennel, peppercorns, and cinnamon sticks. Simmer, stirring until caramel is dissolved and sauce is reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, about 10 minutes.
Pour sauce through a sieve and cool to just warm. Assemble dessert: Drain pears and pat dry, then transfer to plates. Serve drizzled with sauce and sprinkled with chopped nuts.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 firm-ripe Bartlett pears
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
6 dried figs, quartered lengthwise
8 ounces plain low-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoons superfine sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Halve the pears lengthwise and core them, then cut each half lengthwise into 3 wedges.
In a large nonstick ovenproof skillet, cook the sugar, apple juice and butter over moderate heat until the butter melts.
Stir in the cinnamon and allspice. Stir in the pears and figs and cook for 5 minutes.
Transfer the pears to the oven and roast for 25 minutes, or until tender.
Whisk the yogurt with the vanilla and superfine sugar. Spoon the compote on plates.
Serve warm or at room temperature with the yogurt sauce.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 Bosc or Bartlett pears
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for drizzling
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 recipe buttermilk pancakes batter
sour cream for garnish.

• preparation

Core pears with an apple corer.
Starting at the bottom, slice pears crosswise into 1/8 inch thick rings, and toss in a small bowl with maple syrup and cinnamon.
Heat an electric griddle to 375 degrees or a heavy skillet until very hot.
Brush with butter; wipe off excess with a folded paper towel. Place a few pear slices on the griddle, 2 1/2 inches apart. Cook for a minute. Ladle about 1/4 cup of the batter into center of each pear ring.
Using the bottom of a ladle, gently push batter over edges of pears. Let cook until pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, about 2 1/2 minutes.
Using a spatula, turn pancakes over; cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute.
Repeat with remaining pears and batter. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and extra syrup.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

For the poached pear:
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
Zest from a lemon
4 firm, not quite ripe Bosc, Barlett or Anjou pear, peeled, quartered and cored

For the toffee:
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 star anise, broken into pieces
1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked whole peppercorns
Vanilla ice cream

• preparation

For the poached pear:
In a medium saucepan, heat the wine, sugar, lemon juice and water, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the lemon zest and juice and pear quarters and simmer gently, turning occasionally, just until the pears are tender and cooked through.
Remove from the heat; set aside to cool slightly. Transfer the pear quarters to a plate. Discard the poaching liquid or reserve for another use.
For the toffee:
Pat the pear quarters dry. In a small skillet over medium heat, heat the honey and butter, stirring constantly, until the butter melts. Add the allspice, cinnamon, star anise and peppercorns and heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is combined and bubbles.
Add the pear quarters and cook, without moving, until they are slightly seared on one side, about 3 minutes. Cook, turning every few minutes, until the pear pieces are seared on all sides, and well coated with toffee, 3 to 5 minutes more.
Remove the skillet from the heat; remove and discard the star anise. The toffee should have reduced slightly to a glaze.
To serve, transfer 2 pear quarters to each plate, drizzle with the remaining toffee and immediately top with ice cream, which will melt into the sauce. Serve immediately.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For dressing:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
For salad:

4 large bartlett pears
1/4 cup Port wine
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 bunches watercress
6 Belgian endives
8 ounces Roquefort cheese

• preparation

Dressing:
Whisk together olive oil, vinegar and mustard in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. (200 degrees C).
Peel pears, cut into quarters and core.
Cut into 10 to 12 thick slices each.
Place in a bowl and toss with the Port and olive oil. Arrange on a heavy baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes or until slices are tender. Let cool. (Pears can be roasted up to a day ahead. Cover and Refrigerate).
Place walnuts on baking sheet. Toast in oven for 5 minutes. Remove stems from watercress. Wash and spin. Remove core from endives and cut into thick slices.
To serve, arrange watercress around edge of a large serving platter with endives in center.
Drizzle with dressing. Top with pear slices and sprinkle with Roquefort and walnuts. Serve immediately.