Spice-Roasted Pears

Country women used to gather at big, wood-fired, communal bread ovens each week to bake the family loaves. Once the bread came out, dishes like these pears went into the oven so none of the precious heat was wasted.

• 4 small ripe Bosc pears, peeled, cored and halved

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon allspice

• 1 to 2 tablespoons butter

• About 5 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 cup apple cider or orange juice

• 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Arrange the pears in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice, spices, bits of butter and the sugar. Add the cider or orange juice to the bottom of the pan. Bake about 30 minutes, or until easily pierced with a knife. Baste the pears every so often with pan juices. Serve warm or at room temperature, giving everyone two pear halves with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.