Williams Pears In Red Wine Sauce (Pere al Vino Rosso)

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200ºC (Gas 6)

Step 2: Wash and place the pears upright in a suitably sized ovenproof container. You need them to fit snugly, without too much space between them.

Step 3: Bake pears in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the pears from the oven and pour on the wine. Sprinkle over the lemon rind and most of the sugar, reserving a small amount; and spoon this on top of the pears. Bake for another 20 minutes, by which time the wine will have reduced and thickened in consistency.

Step 5: Put the pears in a glass bowl, cover with the red wine syrup and chill.

Step 6: Divide between 6 plates, and serve with the syrup and some whipped double cream, if desired.