Blue Cheese & Caramelized Pears

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. 2
   Line a heavy baking sheet with foil.
3. 3
   Halve the pears lengthwise and core them (using a melon baller to remove the core from each half, then remove the tough fibers running from the stem end to the bottom of each half with a sharp paring knife).
4. 4
   Place the pears, cut side up, on the baking sheet and brush with some of the butter, then turn cut side down and brush with the remaining butter.
5. 5
   Roast the pears for 10-15 minutes or until the cut sides begin to color.
6. 6
   Turn, cut sides up, and carefully sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of the sugar over each pear half.
7. 7
   Roast for 5-10 minutes longer, or until tender when pierced with a knife.
8. 8
   Arrange 2 pear halves, cut side up, on each dessert plate.
9. 9
   Crumble the blue cheese over the pears and serve immediately.
10. 10
    NOTE: The pears can be roasted up to 2 hours in advance and set aside, loosely covered, at room temperature. Reheat in a 350F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.