ROASTED PEARS WITH PECORINO

ROASTED PEARS WITH PECORINO image

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 ripe Bosc or Anjou pears
2 TBS unsalted butter
6 TBS sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1/3 c. brandy
1/2 lb. pecorino cheese

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350. Halve and peel pears, and carefully remove the seeds and core. Melt butter in large cast iron skillet over med heat. Arrange pears, cut side down, in the skillet so they just touch one another. Sprinkle the sugar, over the pears and butter. Cook, tilting the pan back and forth gently from time to time, until the sugar dissolves and melts into a golden caramel, about 4 min. Scrape vanilla seeds into pan, and add the pod. Be aware that the brandy may ignite, but the flames will die down quickly. Carefully turn the pears over, and transfer to the oven. They should be deep golden brown. Roast until the pears are fork tender, about 10 min, depending on ripeness and size of pears. Serve with thick slices of pecorino and caramel sauce.