Jacques Pepins Braised Pears in Caramel Sauce - sugar

Method

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Peel pears and cut in half lengthwise.
• Remove cores.
• Place pear halves flat side down in single layer in 1 or 2 large baking or gratin dishes.
• Sprinkle sugar over pears and dot with butter.
• Place in oven and bake 35 minutes.
• By this time sugar should have caramelized and pears should be tender when pierced with point of knife.
• If pears are not tender continue cooking 5 to 10 minutes.
• Pour cream over pears and return to oven.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes more, basting every 5 minutes with cream.
• Cream should have reduced and thickened and turned nice ivory color.
• If sauce seems to be separating, add a tablespoon or two of hot water.
• Remove pears from oven, allow to cool slightly.
• Serve directly from baking dish.