Roasted Pears with Sweet Maple Cream


Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

4 ripe pears, cut in half lengthwise, seeded
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons brown sugar
¼ cup fresh thyme sprigs
Salt

For yogurt cream:

1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup plain Greek yogurt, 2%
Salt

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 450°F.

In a cast iron or heavy bottomed skillet, add the butter, maple syrup, vanilla, brown sugar, thyme sprigs and a generous sprinkle of salt. Let everything come to a gentle boil and stir continuously, about 2 minutes.

Add the halved pears to the pan, cut side down. Give it a shake and let them simmer on the stove about 2 minutes. Turn the pears over so they are now cut side up and transfer the pan to the oven, middle rack. Bake for 12 minutes until the pears are soft and the sauce has caramelized.

While the pears are baking, beat the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Add the maple syrup, pinch of salt, cinnamon and beat another minute to combine. Gently fold in the greek yogurt, this will make it a bit thinner.

Put one pear on a plate, drizzle with a spoonful of sauce with a sprig of thyme for garnish, and a generous dollop of yogurt cream.