Spiced Pears and Toasted Brioche

PREP: 10 min. COOK: 7-10 min. SERVING: 6

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 vanilla bean, split length wise, seeds scraped and reserved

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

6, green pears, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices

12 (2 1/2-in) brioche slices, toasted

1/2 cup Student-Made Pear-Honey Fruit Spread

Garnish: whipped cream

Method

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar, vanilla seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt, stirring to combine. Add pears, tossing gently to coat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until pears are just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove pears from skillet, and set aside. Cook brown sugar mixture until thickened.

2. Place a toasted brioche square on each plate. Top with Pear-Honey Fruit Spread, pear slices, and drizzle with a small amount of brown sugar mixture. Repeat layers once. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.