Tag Archives: recipes

Keep Love In The Air With Chocolate and Pears

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Love is in the air and few things are as enticing as the passionate relationship between chocolate and pears. These two foods may come from opposite worlds but when they meet, the chemistry is unmistakable and downright charming. The possibilities are truly endless with these two simple ingredients, and you don’t need to be a gourmet chef to pull off something delicious and creative. We can’t prove it, but we are pretty sure chocolate and pears will please pretty much anyone. As you think of the perfect way to please your Valentine, consider savoring the joyous relationship that is chocolate and pears with these five recipes. 1. Dark Chocolate Dipped Pears Move over strawberries— there’s another fruit that tastes amazing when dipped in chocolate! Rich dark chocolate pairs perfectly with Red Anjou pears, which just so happen to be heart-check Continue reading →

5 Hearty Pear Soups to Warm Your Winter

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Few things warm the body and soul like a bowl of soup in the wintertime. When it’s cold outside, soup can bring a sense of nourishment and comfort. The winter months also happen to be an ideal time to experiment in the kitchen since the frigid temperatures keep many of us inside. Pears may not be an ingredient that immediately comes to mind when you think of soup, but they can bring a unique flavor and texture to both sweet and savory soups. They’re also an excellent source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C, making them a nutritious and delicious ingredient. Whether sautéed with vegetables before stock is added, roasted and pureed to blend with stocks, or simply chopped and added to an already simmering broth, pears are a fun and tasty way to step up your Continue reading →

12 Creative Ways to Poach a Pear

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How many ways can you poach a pear? There may not be a set answer when you consider that the pear-ssibilities are endless. The classic go-to seems to be red or white wine poached pears, which is definitely one of the prettiest and most decadent ways to poach. But when it comes to poaching, sometimes it’s worth it to think outside the pear box. Besides wine, pears can be poached in cider, bold and flavorful beers like stouts and Belgian ales, and even espresso, among other liquids. Restaurants love to impress diners with beautifully poached pear dishes because, besides being delicious, they are visually striking. Even though poached pears may look challenging to make, most recipes are easier than you might think. December is National Pear Month and the time of year when all ten varieties of Northwest pears are Continue reading →

Pear and Gouda Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Pecans

Andrea Slonecker By on

The all-American cheese ball is a throwback worth revisiting. Popular at holiday parties of yesteryear, today we take a fresh, lightened-up approach with the addition of pears. Swap the classic orange cheddar or crumbly blue for a nutty aged Gouda. The nuttiness plays well with both the sweet pears folded into the cheese mixture and the crunchy pecans that are sprinkled on the outside, while parsley and scallions add a savory bite. Perfect for an office gathering or a family affair, this pear-flecked cheese spread presents well in the shape of everyone’s favorite holiday fruit. And it’s deceptively easy to pull off, too. Serves 8 to 10 Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature 2 cups finely shredded aged Gouda cheese (about 6 ounces), at room temperature 1 ripe USA Anjou pear, peeled, cored (reserving the stem), and Continue reading →

Pear Rugelach

Andrea Slonecker By on

Rugelach, the crescent-shaped, cookie-like pastries filled with any combination of nuts, fruit, chocolate, and seeds, is a festive holiday treat of Jewish decent. Though they are commonly filled with dried fruits, like raisins, fresh pears diced extra small are a tasty twist. Pear butter adds another layer of flavor and allows the filling to stick to the dough as you roll them up. It can be found in the jam aisle at many supermarkets. The cream cheese dough is tender, flaky, and oh so easy to mix together, making this recipe a fun endeavor for families of any faith during the holiday season. Makes 36 Ingredients: Dough 16 tablespoons (1 cup/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup cream cheese, at room temperature 1/3 cup sour cream 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups all-purpose flour Filling 1/2 cup sugar Continue reading →

Pear Waldorf Salad

Andrea Slonecker By on

During those weeks between the holidays at this time of year, a crunchy, fresh salad with a wintery undertone is just what we crave. The Waldorf Salad may be traditionally made with apples, but we love it with the soft, seductive sweetness of ripe pears. Instead of gloppy mayonnaise, we toss crisp celery and fennel, toasted walnuts, grapes, and those succulent pears with Greek yogurt for a tangy take. Fresh herbs and sunflower seeds add texture and a modern feel. Serve the salad spooned into butter lettuce or radicchio leaves, or scoop it up with warm pita bread for a light and simple lunch. Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients: 2 ripe USA Red Anjou Pears, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, reserving fronds, cored, and sliced 3 ribs celery with leaves, stalks sliced and leaves Continue reading →

Pear and Sausage Stuffing

Andrea Slonecker By on

Whether you are a “stuffing” or a “dressing” kind of person, pears add a magical twist when served alongside your holiday bird. Because they are sautéed and then baked, the pears are meant to be meltingly soft in this side dish, and any variety will do. Sausage adds a piquant kick, and don’t skimp on those fresh herbs. Consider this recipe another delicious vehicle for getting pears on your Thanksgiving table. Serves 8 Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing and brushing 1 (20-ounce) loaf white bread, crusts trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage 1 sweet yellow onion, chopped 3 celery ribs, chopped 12 ounces mild Italian pork sausage (casings removed if the sausage is in links) 2 ripe USA Pears, stemmed, cored, and cut into Continue reading →

Pear and Pumpkin Pancakes with Cider Syrup

Andrea Slonecker By on

Chilly fall mornings are back! Before bundling up the family for a trip to the pumpkin patch, fill them up with a hearty breakfast that celebrates the season. Grated pears add sweetness to a fall favorite, pumpkin pancakes, limiting the sugar and bumping up the nutrition. Here it’s best to use a tender, juicy pear variety that is on the sweeter side, such as Bartlett, Comice, Anjou, or Starkrimson. To top it off, pear cider is cooked down with maple syrup to make a simple yet delicious all-natural syrup for drizzling. Serve with bacon and eggs for a complete brunch while entertaining houseguests when the holidays roll around. These fluffy flapjacks are sure to be a new family favorite. Makes 12 pancakes (serves 4 to 6) Pancakes 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking Continue reading →

Grilled Pear and Lamb Flatbreads

Andrea Slonecker By on
pear and ground lamb flatbread with fresh mint

Pears and meat are a winning combination. We often think of pork and chicken with fruit, but let’s not overlook lamb. That robust flavor is deliciously complemented by sweet, aromatic charred pears hot off the grill, and both partner perfectly with Middle Eastern flavors. Here we have a complete meal cooked almost entirely on the grill. A very simple dough is rolled out to make homemade flatbreads that get cooked right on the grill, and then topped with sliced grilled pears and red onions, spiced ground lamb, charred halloumi cheese, and an addictive yogurt-tahini sauce. Think of these flatbreads as a pizza of sorts, perfect for a patio party, and they’re as delicious hot as they are at room temperature. Serves 6 Dough 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 cup whole-wheat flour 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 Continue reading →

Beat the Heat!

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on
Creamy pear popsicles with chunks of kiwi and yellow sticks

Summer is my favorite season, because of the social gatherings, barbecues, picnics, and summer treats that satisfy my sweet tooth. I pay attention to my calorie intake carefully – especially during the hot summer when cold, decadent treats are everywhere. So, what is a dietitian to do? Make popsicles, of course! Anything that can be made into juice or a smoothie can also be made into a delicious popsicle that fulfills that sweet craving, cools you off, and packs in nutrients without unnecessary calories. Making popsicles is very easy, in fact it’s a fun activity for the whole family. And you don’t need any molds or special equipment, paper cups and popsicle sticks will suffice. For this method, place the cups on a tray, fill them ¾ full, cover the cups with saran wrap, and press the sticks through to Continue reading →