8 Large firm pears, with stems
3 qt. boiling water
1 c. pure Vermont maple syrup, grade B, divided
Ben & Jerry's Sorbet or Vanilla Ice Cream
8 tbs of raspberry-maple syrup (1 tbs per pear)
Spearmint leaf, garnish
Pansies, garnish
Other fresh fruit, garnish

Place sauce pan on burner with 3 quarts of water. Bring to a boil. Pour maple syrup in boiling water. Peel pears being careful not to brake off the stem. Cut a thin slice off bottom of each pear so it will stand upright. Cut each pear vertically in half; core center. Put back together with wooden toothpicks to assure each one is pared off. Gently place in boiling water mixture and poach for 15 - 20 minutes. With slotted spoon, gently lift out of water and drain. To serve, scoop a small amount of sorbet or vanilla ice cream in the cored out area, press together. Stand the pears in the center of serving dish, pour raspberry-maple syrup over pear. At the top of pear, garnish with spearmint leaf and pansy flower. Place any other in season fruit around the pear. Serve warm.