Flaming Pears Melba

Directions

1. 1
   Place 12 pear halves, cut side down on paper towels.
2. 2
   For the filling, combine cream cheese, sugar & enough reserved pear syrup to make a spreadable filling.
3. 3
   Add walnuts, & stir to mix well.
4. 4
   Spread 1 tablespoon of filling onto the FLAT surface of each pear.
5. 5
   Press together each set of two halves to make 6 'whole' pears.
6. 6
   For the sauce, in saucepan, blend cold water & cornstarch, then add thawed raspberries.
7. 7
   Cook & stir until thick.
8. 8
   Run cooked raspberries through a fine sieve to remove seeds. Keep warm.
9. 9
   When ready to serve, preheat 1/4 cup brandy.
10. 10
    Pour brandy on top of warm raspberry sauce, then ignite with LONG match.
11. 11
    Immediately, & with a long-handled dipper, spoon flaming sauce over pears, & serve.