BUTTERSCOTCH BAKED PEARS

Butterscotch Baked Pears image

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 pears, firm but ripe (medium-large size)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rum or 2 teaspoons Scotch whisky
hickory nuts or pecans

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°; peel pears and halve them vertically; with a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the hard core of each.
Melt butter in an 8- to 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
Stir in the brown sugar and salt; add in the pears in a single layer, cut sides down.
Spoon some of the butter mixture over the pears.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the pears until soft, 15-20 minutes, basting once with the butter mixture while they bake.
Remove the pears from the skillet and arrange them on a rimmed platter or in a large shallow bowl.
Return the skillet to the stovetop; mix in the cream, vanilla, and bourbon; bring to a boil and reduce by about half, until very thick, stirring and keeping a close eye on the mixture.
Pour the sauce over the pears; Garnish with nuts and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.7, Fat 17.2, SaturatedFat 10.7, Cholesterol 50.9, Sodium 87, Carbohydrate 39.5, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 29.6, Protein 1.1