Butterscotch Pears Recipes

BUTTERSCOTCH PEARS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel the pears, cut them in half lengthwise and, using a melon baller, scoop out the cores.
• Rub them all over with the lemon half to prevent browning.
• In a large (10-inch), heavy-based, ovenproof skillet, melt the butter.
• Add the sugar and brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
• Arrange the pears in the pan, cut side down, in a single layer.
• Bake the pears uncovered, basting occasionally with the liquid in the pan, until they begin to soften and color slightly.
• Depending on the pears ripeness, baking time can range from 20 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Transfer the pan to a burner and boil the mixture left behind over medium-high heat until it reaches a rich, golden-brown color and smells like caramel, 2 to 5 minute Slowly whisk the cream into the caramel until smooth.
• Add the vanilla, salt, and Scotch, if using.
• Serve the sauce over the warm pears.

PEAR BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

Steps:

• Put a baking sheet on middle rack of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then whisk in brown sugar, breaking up any lumps. Gently toss pears with brown sugar mixture, lemon juice, and vanilla and let stand 5 to 15 minutes to macerate fruit.
• Roll out 1 piece of dough (keep remaining disk chilled) on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Roll out remaining piece of dough into a 13-inch round. Reserve scraps.
• Transfer filling to shell. Dot with butter, then cover with pastry round. Trim edges, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang (reserve scraps). Press edges together to seal, then fold under. Lightly brush top crust with some of egg wash, then cut 3 (1-inch-long) vents.
• Roll out 1 piece of dough (keep remaining disk chilled) on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Roll out remaining piece of dough into a 13-inch round. Reserve scraps.
• Transfer filling to shell. Dot with butter, then cover with pastry round. Trim edges, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang (reserve scraps). Press edges together to seal, then fold under. Lightly brush top crust with some of egg wash, then cut 3 (1-inch-long) vents.
• Roll out dough scraps about 1/8 inch thick and cut out leaf shapes with cutters (or a knife). Arrange decoratively on top of pie, pressing gently to help them adhere. Lightly brush top crust and cutouts with some of egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
• Bake pie on hot baking sheet 20 minutes. Reduce oven to 375°F and bake until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes more. Cool to warm or room temperature, 2 to 3 hours.

ROASTED PEARS WITH COCONUT BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. In a bowl, toss together the pears, butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, pinch salt and pepper. Roast on baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until pears are tender and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the coconut until golden.
• In a separate skillet, combine 1 cup brown sugar and 6 tablespoons water. Cook over medium heat until sugar melts and loses its sandlike consistency (there can still be a few sugar granules). Whisk in the coconut milk and a pinch of salt. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer until sauce reaches a consistency between that of heavy cream and butterscotch sauce; this could take 10 minutes or longer. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and lemon zest. Spoon sauce over pears and garnish with toasted coconut. Serve with the chocolate on the side.