Honey-nut Pears

There are some recipes that aren't recipes at all.  Like this one.  My aunt is a subscriber to a few magazines, and when I lived near her she would sometimes clean house and bestow her ageing collection of magazines on me.  One of her subscriptions is a Martha Stewart publication, I think Everyday is the name.  I would look forward to these the most for their beautiful photography and delicious recipes.  When I saw the recipe card for this one I couldn't help but want to try it, even though I'm not a fan of pears. 

Pears are strange for me.  I only like them when they are at a specific stage of ripeness.  They have to be not too firm but not too soft.  When they're firm the texture is unpleasant, and when they're too soft I find them too juicy, and the flesh takes on a strange texture on my tongue.  I also don't like how they brown and bruise so easily.  But with this dish I find it's best to use a riper pear, because the juice mixes with the honey to form a sweet, syrupy sauce, and the flesh yields nicely against a spoon.  The nuts are a wonderful, crunchy, contrast to the soft pear.  It doesn't taste like pears and walnuts and honey, but a decadent dessert.

I find a bit of black pepper adds a nice compliment to the flavors, but that's certainly optional. 

Honey-nut Pears

1 ripe pear

A handful of toasted walnuts or pecans

Honey

Black pepper (optional)

Cut the pear in half and scoop out the seeds and the vein that runs to the stem.  Fill the indentation with toasted nuts and squeeze desired amount of honey over top.  Sprinkle with black pepper and serve with a scoop of plain yogurt, if desired.