aka Amber Fox Kitchen

Better-Than-Paris Pears, Gath'r'ette '98, Martha Bear

serves 4

Shopping List: Two large, ripe pears -- red Anjou are nice; two tbsp. butter; two tbsp. Genuine Lanark County Maple Syrup (accept no substitute); one tsp. cinnamon; half tsp. nutmeg; half tsp. black pepper; table cream.

The Dish: Split and core pears. Over low heat, combine all other ingredients except the cream & wait until butter is melted. Place pears cut side down into the mixture. Cook gently for 10-15 minutes, until the cut surface of the pears is soft and brown. The sauce must be stirred (slowly) throughout the process or it will "caramelize" (the polite akaamberfox code word for "charcoal-like crud.") Serve pears immediately, cut side up, and top with a splash of table cream.