Hey there December…..Welcome. Time for cozy cooking.

A  shallow baking pan, a sheet of parchment, Pears and Plums pitted, whole vanilla beans and star anise,  maple syrup and balsamic reduction…that’s it…you’re done. Is it a dessert? Is it a savory side? It can easily be either one. Your choice.

I split and used the vanilla bean seeds earlier for making a custard, but I always save the split beans for other uses.  There are a few teeny seeds still inside and they added just the right hint of vanilla to the roasted fruit. Real maple syrup and a balsamic reduction drizzled over the fruit making sure to fill the pitted part.  Is there anything like the aroma of star anise when roasted? It’s all a rather special blend of ingredients that leave the roasted pears and plums a bit caramelized and very aromatic.  This can be a desirable fruit dessert topped with a scoop of ice cream or gelato, or eaten as a side with roast pork or turkey. Add this to your winter go-to easy everyday recipes. It’s as easy-as-this.

Ingredients:

• 4 plums, cut in half & pitted
• 4 pears, cut in half and pitted
• 1 to 3 split vanilla beans
• 6 whole star anise
• 1/4 cup balsamic reduction glaze
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spread fruit out on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
3. Drizzle fruit with balsamic glaze and maple syrup. Scatter vanilla beans and star anise over fruit. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until fruit is just fork tender, not mushy. Bake time may vary.
4. Serve in fruit in bowls topped with a scoop of ice cream or as a side dish with roasted chicken or pork. Also great as a holiday side with a roasted turkey.

Note: You can also do this with crisp apples or peaches.

Teresa Blackburn Food Styling.