How long this will take varies enormously 1 hour is enough for semi-ripe dessert pears; 3 hours or more may be needed for pears so hard that they seem to be carved from wood. Baste the pears frequently as they bake and turn them occasionally to encourage even cooking. When the pears are ready, transfer them to a serving dish, standing them upright. Boil the cooking liquid until it turns syrupy and is reduced by about half. Stir in an extra tablespoon or two of honey if you think a little more sweetness is desirable but avoid the temptation to make the juices too sweet; the appeal of the dish lies in its fruitiness. Spoon the syrupy glaze over the pears. Serve warm or cold.