... and to drink

MAKES 9-12

— 2 large ripe pears, peeled, cut in half and the core removed

— juice of ½ lemon

— 125g unsalted butter — 200g chocolate, 50 per cent cocoa solids at least, broken into small pieces — 3 eggs, beaten

— 250g soft lightbrown sugar

— 100g spelt flour, or plain flour

— 3 tbsp rolled oats — 60ml whisky

Preheat the oven to 200C/ 180C fan/gas mark 6 and line a 20 x 20cm tin (or equivalent) with greaseproof paper.

In a saucepan, cover the pears with cold water and the lemon juice then gently bring to the boil over a moderate heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the pears are easily pierceable with a skewer or sharp knife (the time will depend on how ripe your pears are).

Remove from the heat and leave to cool, before discarding the liquid and cutting each pear half in half again.

Melt the butter and the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering

Burns’ Night celebrations might not be the big get-togethers they usually are, but you can always support independent Scottish breweries with an at-home address to the haggis instead. water, or alternatively use the microwave set to medium-low in short, sharp bursts. Put to one side when melted.

Beat the eggs and sugar together until creamy and voluminous. Gently fold through the flour, two tablespoons of the

Melissa Cole toasts breweries north of the border WILLIAM BROS ST ANDREWS BROUGHTON ALES KELPIE, BREWING STOUT JOCK, COMPANY YIPPEE

IPA,

4.4percent, £15 for 12 x 330ml, williamsbrosbrew.com

A dark ale made with seaweed that I could drink and drink with Claire’s haggis mac and cheese; the beer’s salty note blend, with smooth chocolatey hints, creates a comfort pairing beyond compare. oats and a pinch of salt before adding the melted chocolate and butter, then finally the whisky, stirring briefly to combine.

Pour the brownie mix into the tin, arrange the cooked pear quarters and top with the final tablespoon of oats.

6 per cent, £22.50 for 12 x 330ml, standrewsbrewing company.com

The vibrancy of this tangy, tutti-frutti IPA, with its grassy bite, will stop the pasta from being too rich and cloying. Another great beertomatch it with.

Bake in the hot oven for around 25-30 minutes, until the top of the brownie has a few cracks but the middle is still a little wobbly. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting and serving.

4.8per cent, £35 for 16 x 500ml, broughtonales.co.uk

Due to Covid, Broughton Ales faced closure after morethan40yearsof trading, but with huge support from its fan base, it has bounced back. This beer will balance the sweetness of the brownie with its deep treacly notes.