Ingredients:
3 firm bosc pears or 3 bartlett pears
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup raspberry jam (homemade or the best quality store bought) or 1/4 cup raspberry jelly ( homemade or the best quality store bought)
2 tablespoons mirin ( can substitute white wine or fruit liquer-optional)
1 pinch cinnamon or 1 pinch nutmeg or 1 pinch cardamom
1 inch piece vanilla pod, slit down the side ( my addition)
1 pinch salt
fresh mint
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the pears in half lengthwise, remove seeds, peel and core. Place the pears cut side down in an oven-proof baking dish.
Combine the juice, jam, mirin (or substitute), cinnamom, nutmeg or cardamom, vanilla pod piece and salt.
Pour this mixture over the pears; cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake pears until soft, about 25 minutes.
Remover the vanilla pod and arrange the pears cut side up on a serving platter. Spoon remaining sauce from the baking dish over the pears. Garnish with mint leaves or verbena leaves if desired.
Servings: 6
Time preparation: 10 min.
Time total: 30 min.