Caramelized Pears

It does not take many ingredients to make this easy dessert, but it looks really impressive. As if that's not enough, it's also very healthy.

• 1 pear per person
  
• about a tablespoon of white sugar per pear
  
• optional: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or vanilla sauce
  

Directions

1. Halve pears lengthwise; remove cores. (A melon baller removes cores easily, but a small spoon works, too.) Place sugar on a plate.


2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. A regular (as in not non-stick) skillet works best here because you can see when the pears start to caramelize. Press cut side of each halved pear in sugar. Place cut side down in skillet. Cook until beginning to brown, 7 to 8 minutes.


3. Add 1/2 cup water. Cover; simmer until pears are tender, 5 to 10 minutes (depending on ripeness), adding more water if sugar begins to burn.


4. If liquid in pan is thin, simmer until thickened to a saucelike consistency; if it is thick, add more water. Serve sauce over pears.


5. Serve pears with a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or vanilla sauce. Even without this addition, these are amazingly simple, delicious, and not even bad for you! You could even serve the pears on top of the spinach salad recipe (see salads category)