Chocolate Pear Brownie

Method

1. Melt chocolate and butter together in a bain-marie.
2. Beat eggs with sugar until light and frothy.
3. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the eggs and mix well.
4. Add baking powder and stir.
5. Sift in flour and fold gently until just combined.
6. Peel the pears, cut into small pieces, and fold into the batter.
7. Pour batter into a lined baking pan. Bake in a static oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes.
8. For the pear compote: combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, and diced pears in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until pears are soft and the liquid has thickened slightly.
9. Let the brownie cool, then cut into squares. Serve with a spoonful of pear compote and a dollop of ricotta.