Stuffed Roasted Pears

INGREDIENTS

Filling:
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp honey
1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp grated orange rind

Pears:
4 large pears
1/3 cup honey, divided
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp orange juice

DIRECTIONS

Filling: In a bowl, blend the cream cheese, the two tablespoons of honey, the egg yolk, and the orange rind until smooth. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut the pears in half lengthwise. Trim a thin slice off the skin-side so the pear halves are level. For each half, remove the core and enough of the centre to make 1 and 1/2 inch wide by 3/4 inch deep groove, being careful not to piece through the bottom or sides of the pear. Place the pears cut side up in a well-greased 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish.

In a small pot, heat 1/4 cup of the honey, the butter, and the orange juice until melted. Stir well and then brush all over the pears.

Turn pears cut side down. Bake, basting every 10 minutes, for 30 minutes. Turn pears over and baste again, then bake for another 10 minutes.

If there is any liquid pooled in the pears, pour it into the baking dish. Fill the groove in each pear with a generous tablespoon of the filling.

In a bowl, stir together the remaining honey and 1/3 cup of boiling water. Stir into the syrup that's forming in the baking dish. Bake the pears, basting once, until the filling is puffed and the pears are golden and tender, about 30 minutes. When serving, spoon syrup from the baking dish over the pears.