On impulse

Robert let me know about noon Sunday that he was inviting Dwight, Michael and Postal Wendy over for dinner after bingo, and I pretty quickly scoured the fridge and decided that I needn't have a coronary (which Michael narrowly avoided last week).

So I did angel hair with a low-fat grilled-chicken arrabiata sauce, and a quick green salad with balsamic vinaigrette. But for dessert?

I was flummoxed till I noticed the pears in the fruit basket. Halve 'em, core 'em, poach 'em in white wine perfumed with ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon; keep 'em warm on the stovetop and serve with a dollop of mascarpone and a drizzle of berry sauce -- and you've got the perfect finish for a cold winter's night.

I didn't mind that Wendy was a no-show: It just meant chef's privilege for that extra piece of pear.