Dessert: Pears in Belle Helen syrup with chocolate sauce and ice cream

Ingredients:

Pears

• 4-6 firm Bartlett or other dessert pears
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar or vanilla sugar
• 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract (if not using vanilla sugar)

Chocolate sauce

• 225 g dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup strong black coffee or 1 teaspoon instant coffee diluted in 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 liter of vanilla ice cream
• Chopped pistachios, optional

Preparation:

1. Peel the pears, cut them in half, and remove the cores. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent the flesh from darkening.
   
   In a wide, shallow saucepan (you can place the pears in a single layer, otherwise cook them in batches), add 1 1/4 cups water, sugar, and vanilla bean (if using).
   
   Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved, then reduce heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract (if using).
2. Place the pears cut-side down in the liquid, and increase the heat again until the syrup simmers and the pears are completely covered. You may need to baste them with syrup. After about 30 seconds, reduce the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn the pears over, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for another 10 minutes.
   
   Continue cooking until the pears are done and translucent. When pierced, the flesh should be tender but not watery. Cooking time may vary depending on the pears. Turn off the heat and let cool, covered.
3. Next, prepare the chocolate sauce: place the broken chocolate, coffee, and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring occasionally. Then, continuing to stir, pour in the cream. When it's very hot, pour the mixture into a warmed gravy boat or bowl with a spoon.
4. To serve, place the pears cut-side down on a large flat plate and drizzle with a little syrup. (Store any remaining syrup in the refrigerator or freezer and use it to drizzle over apples or other fruits when making pies or crumbles.)
   
   You can rinse the vanilla bean, strain it, and place it in a bowl with sugar. Serve the ice cream, sauce, and pistachios (if using) separately so you can add more flavor to the dessert.