Bread and butter pudding with pears

Serves 12

INGREDIENTS
1 loaf of bread (sliced, crusts removed and cut into small pieces)
500 ml (2 cups) hot milk
4 eggs
1 cup (200g) sugar
1/2 cup (60g) flour
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
5 medium-sized, ripe pears

PREPARATION
Place bread, hot milk, slightly beaten eggs, sugar and lemon rind inside a mixing bowl and stir until well blended.

Peel, core and purée the pears.
Pour and fold into the mixture, together with the flour.

Pour the batter into an ovenproof dish and bake in a moderate oven for about 50 minutes.