Lavender Roasted Pears

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon dried lavender
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 whole pears
• 1 pint fresh raspberries
• 1 cup crème fraiche
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 F. Butter the inside of a 4-quart casserole dish. In a food processor or spice grinder, combine sugar and lavender.

Peel, halve and core the pears, then toss with 3 tablespoons of the lavender sugar. Lay the pears cut side down in the casserole dish. Cover with lid and bake 20-30 minutes until just barely soft. Remove from the oven and remove the lid.

Preheat the broiler. Turn the pears cut side up and sprinkle each pear with 1/2 teaspoon lavender sugar. Place 6 inches under the broiler and cook until caramelized, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Serve pear halves with fresh raspberries and crème fraiche, and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with fleur de sel if desired.