Pears roasted in red wine

Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Cut a small slice off the bottom of each pear so they sit up. Put the pears into a casserole dish and pour over the wine. Cut the butter into cubes and push a cube onto the top of each pear. Sprinkle over the sugar, scatter in the cinnamon and star anise. Cover with a lid or foil, then bake in the oven for 30 mins.

Remove the pears from the oven, baste them well in their juices, then return to the oven, uncovered, for 40 mins, basting occasionally, until the pears are soft and wrinkled. The pears can be prepared to this point up to 2 days ahead and reheated in a low oven. Serve the pears warm with the juices and a spoonful of something creamy, such as mascarpone.