Simply WONDERFUL

CASSIS AND BAY BAKED PEARS WITH BLACKBERRIES

Pears are the most adaptable, well-behaved, rewarding fruits for autumn and winter puddings. Their flesh really sucks up other flavours, red wine, Marsala, cinnamon, star anise or whatever else you choose. This is best made the day before serving.

SERVES 6

✣ 6 just-ripe pears
✣ 100ml (3½fl oz) cassis
✣ 300ml (½ pint) red wine
✣ 60g (2¼oz) caster sugar
✣ 3 bay leaves
✣ 150g (5½oz) blackberries

1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 5.

2 Halve the pears – you don’t need to peel or core