oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, combine currants, pear, and wine.

Let stand 30 minutes. Place bread cubes in bowl; pour scalded milk over bread; let stand 10 minutes. Add egg yolks, sugar, and pear mixture. Divide among 6 well-buttered individual ramekins or custard cups. Place in roasting pan on open rack; pour boiling water into pan to come halfway up sides of molds.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, until the tip of a knife inserted between center and edge of pudding comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before unmolding, or chill before unmolding. Serve with Muscat sauce.

Muscat Sauce 1 c milk 1 c light cream 1 3 inch strip lemon zest 6 egg yolks 1/3 c sugar 1/4 c Muscat wine In small heavy saucepan, brin milk, cream, and lemon zest to boil. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar; beat until well blended. Remove lemon zest from milk mixture.

Gradually pour milk mixture into yolks, stirring constantly with wire whisk. Return mixture to saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon, until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon. Do not boil. Immediately remove from heat; pour through fine strainer into small bowl; let cool. Stir in Muscat.

Serve at once or place plastic wrap directly on sauce and refrigerate.