Chocolate Chip Pears

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 pears
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate pieces

Instructions

1. Core pears from the bottom end, leaving the stems intact. Using a vegetable peeler, peel strips at 1/2 inch intervals, starting at the top. If necessary, cut a thin slice from bottoms to help the pears stand upright.
2. Place pears on their side in a 2-quart square baking dish.
3. Stir together lemon juice, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Brush onto pears. Pour any extra mixture over pears.
4. Bake, covered, at 375 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes or until pears are tender.
5. Uncover; spoon extra liquid over pears.
6. To serve, place warm pears upright on plates, then hold each pear by the stem and tip slightly to sprinkle sides of each pear with 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate pieces, turning the pears as you sprinkle.