Ruby Pears with Verbena Bavarois and Port Wine Reduction

A free-form heart filled with deep red syrup combined with graceful tuile circles make this dessert a natural for Valentine’s Day. To make the tuile circles even more dramatic, cut out the center of the largest bottom circle as well. Keep in mind, however, that this makes the decoration more fragile and so probably not a realistic option if you are making a large number. Because both the presentation and the preparation of the tuile circles are fairly complicated, you’ll find it helpful to