Betsy Serves 6
3 medium pears, can be slightly under-ripe
2 cups water
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
vanilla ice cream
pound cake (optional) Note: toasted slices add an interesting flavor variation
chocolate sauce (see World’s Best Chocolate Sauce)
garnish of choice: mint leaves, raspberries, candied violets, chopped nuts
1. Peel and halve pears; scoop out seeds and pith.
2. Bring water and sugar to boil. Simmer pears in syrup until fork tender. Add vanilla and allow to cool. Skip this step if using canned pears.
3. To serve, put one slice of pound cake on a plate. Place 1-2 scoops ice cream on cake. Arrange a pear half over ice cream and drizzle warmed chocolate sauce as desired. Garnish with mint leaves, raspberries, candied violets or chopped nuts.