Roasted Pears

• ½ pear, per person
• lemon juice
• ½ cup sugar, granulated or brown
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ⅓ cup water
• ⅓ cup orange flavored liqueur (Recommended: Cointreau), or orange juice

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Cut out each pear's core from the bottom, leaving the pear intact.

Brush the inside of each pear with lemon juice and sprinkle with sugar, then brush with melted butter.

Place remaining sugar in a bowl or on a sheet of waxed paper. Roll each pear in sugar so that it is evenly coated.

Place pears in a baking dish large enough to hold them; add water and liqueur (or juice) to bottom of pan.

Bake for 45 minutes, basting occasionally with the liquid in the dish. If they're getting too brown, loosely cover with foil.

Serve warm or cold, with a side of vanilla ice cream (optional).