Baked Wardens

One traditional celebration for St Jude started in the 13th century with the baking of Warden pears, a very popular baking pear.  From the 16th century, the boys of Bedford School sold these hot in the streets.

These days you will be hard pushed to find Warden pears.  So, I would suggest you use William’s pears for this recipe.

Ingredients:  serves 4

4 fresh pears	¼ teaspoon cinnamon
9fl oz (250ml) red wine	¼ teaspoon ginger
1¾oz (59g) soft brown sugar	Pinch of saffron

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
2. Peel the pears but leave the stalk attached and the pear whole.
3. Stand them up in an ovenproof dish.
4. Mix together the remaining ingredients and pour the mixture over the fruit.
5. Place in the oven and bake until tender. (This will depend on the variety of pear but it will be around 20—30 mins.)  Baste a couple of times during the cooking.
6. Serve with cream or ice cream and a little of the hot wine mixture.