Many moons ago I worked for Radio Devon, based at Seymour Road in Plymouth.  This also happened to be where there was local BBC Network TV, and one of the series of programmes made from there was with Keith Floyd*, a flamboyant and colourful dedicated Francophile. 

I bought a box of pears this week, they're rather nice, but what to do with them, apart from chopped up with morning cereal?  So here's an idea from Keith himself, from his book Floyd on France:


Pears in Red Wine

1 lb pears, peeled, cored and divided into quarters.
1 pint red wine
1 clove
1/2" cinnamon stick

1. Put all ingredients into a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer 20 minutes.
2. Discard the clove and cinnamon and enjoy, perhaps with some good-quality ice cream.

*  (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6206103/Television-chef-Keith-Floyds-favourite-last-recipes-disclosed.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Floyd)

See also my Pear & Gingerbread Pudding (not for those on any sort of slimming diet: http://edvisgardening.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/my-pear-and-gingerbread-pudding-serves.html

Here are more 15 ideas of what do with pears: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/popular-ingredients/pear-recipes-00100000088130/