California Walnuts - www.walnuts.org

1. Combine the raisins, walnuts, sugar, and lemon juice in a small bowl, and mix well.
2. Fill the cavity of each pear, dividing the filling equally.
3. Place the pears upright in a deep baking dish, preferably with a cover.
4. Mix together the water and simple syrup and pour into the baking dish.
5. Cover the dish with its lid (or foil) and bake in a preheated 350F oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the pears are easily pierced with a fork.
6. Serve warm or cold with some of the syrup spooned over each pear.

Recipe for Simple Syrup:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pan.
2. Stir and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer and put cover on it for 3 minutes to get sugar crystals off the sides of the pan.
4. Uncover and cook until it reaches soft ball stage. Stir often
5. Cool syrup