Dessert Comes From The Garden

The first thing we have to do for this recipe is go out in the garden and shake the pear tree. Miss Wren, who has been co-existing with us all season, doesn't enjoy the shaky disruption, so she flies away for the time being.

If you don't have a pear tree in your front yard, use Bosc or Anjou pears. They are crispy enough to stand up to the poaching procedure without becoming mushy.

Enjoy these poached pears any number of ways, by stuffing them with goat cheese or granola or serving over a pork chop. Today, we've made a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh local black berries. Spoon some of the syrup over top and garnish with a sprig of lemon verbena.