Roast spiced pears with gorgonzola recipe

This brilliant dish makes use of pears that are so abundant this time of year. Paired with salty gorgonzola and cooked with a pinch of festive spice, it makes for a flavourful dessert – or even a starter – for any meal.

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes

SERVES

six

INGREDIENTS

• 6 smallish pears, or larger ones halved

• 100g butter

• 75g soft brown sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 star anise

• 2 cloves

• 250g gorgonzola

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/Gas 4.

2. Using a large ovenproof frying pan, heat the butter and sugar together until the butter has melted.

3. Stir in the vanilla and spices then add the pears, turning them over so they are all coated in the sugar mixture.

4. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook the pears for 30 minutes (turning them over in the syrup now and then), or until a knife can go through them easily.

5. Allow to cool in the pan, then serve with the syrup and some gorgonzola.