1 Bosc pear, slightly under-ripe
½ teaspoon butter
3 to 4 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon honey

40 minutes, for 2 people

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Halve the pear lengthwise, and excise core and stem. Place half the balsamic vinegar, butter, and an optional spot of honey in each of two small oval ramekins. Add the pear halves, cut-side down, and spoon some of the mixture over the skin. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, just until a two-tined fork pierces the flesh easily. Remove from the oven, and spoon syrup over the top of the pears again. Let cool slightly.

This serves nicely as a side dish for an omelet or roasted meat, but equally well as dessert with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.