Roasted Pears with Caramel Sauce

Adjust the oven rack to the center position and heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place butter in a baking pan large enough to hold pears in a single layer; set in the heating oven until it melts.

Sprinkle sugar over melted butter, then place pears, cut-side down, on top. Bake until tender, about 30 minutes.

Remove pan from oven, turn pears over and baste with pan sauce. Return to oven; bake until golden and glossy, about 10 minutes longer.

Let cool briefly. Transfer pears to dessert plates or bowls. Top each with a dollop of sour cream, drizzle with caramel pan sauce, sprinkle with nuts, and serve.