I love something sweet next to all these savory dishes, and these baked pears are perfect. As an added bonus, they smell like absolute heaven in the oven. This is a great “signature” dish for you or your kids to make. It’s so easy and delicious, it’ll become a new tradition for sure.
Baked Forelli Pears with Salty Pistachios
Makes 12 servings
1 cup of water
6 Forelli Pears
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/2 cup vegetable stock
Kosher salt and pepper
For the spice butter
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons minced candied ginger
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
2 tablespoons dark rum or brandy
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Salty Pistachios
1 teaspoon water
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Center a rack in your oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a pie plate or cookie sheet with non stick cooking spray. Combine all the spice butter ingredients and mix until well blended. Chill before using. In a small bowl, combine all pistachio ingredients, spread out on baking pan in an even layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before chopping roughly into pieces.
When ready to bake on day of serving, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice and water. Slice the pears in half lengthwise, and remove the core with a melon baller.
Lightly grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Dip the pears in the lemon water (to prevent browning) and place them cut side up in the baking dish. Evenly divide the spiced butter between the pears, filling the hole from the core in each one. Pour the sherry and vegetable stock into the baking dish and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered for 30-45 minutes, or until knife tender. Place the baked pears on a serving dish and spoon some of the cooking liquid over each. Sprinkle with salty pistachios and serve warm with the meal.
