INGREDIENTS

2 inches fresh ginger , piece (will be slicing into 1/4 inch thick disks)
1 cup sugar
3 cups warm water
1 vanilla bean , halved lengthwise
4 bosc pears , firm barely ripe
1-2 tablespoon pear brandy , Poire William preferred (optional)
1 1/2 pints vanilla ice cream
caramel sauce, for serving (Chocolate sauce can be used if desired)
2 tablespoons pistachios , chopped for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Peel the ginger and cut into 1/4-inch-thick disks.
In a deep saucepan large enough to hold the pear halves in [...]