Butterscotch Baked Pears Food

BUTTERSCOTCH PEARS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel the pears, cut them in half lengthwise and, using a melon baller, scoop out the cores.
• Rub them all over with the lemon half to prevent browning.
• In a large (10-inch), heavy-based, ovenproof skillet, melt the butter.
• Add the sugar and brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
• Arrange the pears in the pan, cut side down, in a single layer.
• Bake the pears uncovered, basting occasionally with the liquid in the pan, until they begin to soften and color slightly.
• Depending on the pears ripeness, baking time can range from 20 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Transfer the pan to a burner and boil the mixture left behind over medium-high heat until it reaches a rich, golden-brown color and smells like caramel, 2 to 5 minute Slowly whisk the cream into the caramel until smooth.
• Add the vanilla, salt, and Scotch, if using.
• Serve the sauce over the warm pears.

BUTTERSCOTCH BAKED PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Using melon baller or small spoon, scoop out core from each pear half. Melt butter in large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Whisk in brown sugar and salt. Arrange pears, cut side down, in skillet in single layer. Spoon some of sugar mixture over pears. Place skillet in oven; bake until pears are tender, basting once with syrup, about 30 minutes. Transfer pears, cut side up, to large shallow bowl, leaving syrup in skillet. Mix Scotch and vanilla extract into syrup. Using oven mitts as aid, place hot skillet over medium-high heat (mixture may ignite). Cook until syrup is reduced by half, whisking often, about 2 minutes. Spoon syrup over pears and serve.