Maple Roasted Pears with Granola and Almonds

• 4 firm pears
• 2 T. butter
• 1/4 c. maple syrup
• 1/2 c. granola — choose a favorite variety
• 4 T. sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Slice the pears in half and, using a melon baller or teaspoon, carefully remove the core of each half. Make sure you leave the stem intact.

Place the butter in an 8-inch square baking dish and set it in the oven for 3 minutes. Remove the pan and carefully set the pear halves in the melted butter, cut side down. Roast the pears for 10 minutes. Then, remove the pan and drizzle the maple syrup into the pan, making sure the pears get rubbed into the syrup-butter mixture. Return the baking dish to the oven and roast an additional 10 minutes.

Place two pear halves on a serving plate and sprinkle a fourth of the granola and sliced almonds over the pears. Serve warm.

• Yields: 4 servings
• Preparation Time: 25 minutes