FIRE-ROASTED STUFFED PEARS

4 large ripe pears
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Hot pepper sauce

Preheat grill to medium.

Cut off tops of pears, 1 inch below stem; set aside.

Core pears with spoon or melon baller; leave a cavity for filling.

Combine walnuts, brown sugar, butter, hot pepper sauce and cinnamon in small bowl.

Place one drop of hot pepper sauce in cavity of each pear. Spoon walnut mixture into each cavity; top with pear stems.

Place pears on greased 9-inch square of heavy-duty foil. Carefully place on grill; roast until pears are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes, depending on ripeness of pears.

Makes 4 servings
Source: developed for Associated Press by McIlhenny/Tabasco