MARSALA-ROASTED PEARS AND GRAPES

This recipe is easy to make and it is just delicious. I had some pears that needed to be eaten and was also looking for a dessert that was healthy but tasty. You can eat them next to vanilla ice-cream or just some cream if you prefer it. 

INGREDIENTS

50g unsalted butter
1/2 cup (125g) firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) Marsala
Thickly pared zest and juice of 1 orange
1 cinnamon quill
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
4 firm, ripe beurre bosc pears
1/2 lemon
350g seedless grapes, cut into small bunches
Vanilla ice-cream, to serve

METHOD:
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Place the butter and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. 

Add the Marsala and cook for a further 1 minute. Remove from heat, add the orange zest and juice, cinnamon and vanilla pod and seeds, then stir to combine.

Peel and cut the pears in half lengthways and remove the cores (leaving stalks intact). Rub the pears with the cut side of the lemon to prevent them from browning, then place in a baking tray just large enough for them to fit snugly.

Pour over the Marsala mixture, then roast for 45 minutes, basting every 10 minutes.

Add the grapes and roast for a further 15 minutes or until the sauce is reduced and syrupy.

Serve with the vanilla ice-cream.

Serves 4