Pasta con Peras y Queso

Stumped about what to have for dinner tonight?  Try this quick and easy recipe – just pick up some fresh, new season USA Pears at the store – the yellow of a ripe Bartlett and bright red Starkrimson add beautiful color to this dish from Mexico! Pasta con Peras y Queso (Pasta with Pears and Cheese) Ingredients 2 USA Bartlett pears, ripe & chopped 2 USA Starkrimson pears, ripe & chopped 6 ounces penne pasta 2 tablespoons butter ½ cup grated parmesan cheese ¼ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese ½ cup cream ½ cup milk 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules Salt, chopped onion, garlic, and olive oil as desired to season pasta while cooking Directions Boil the pasta in water with some salt, onion, garlic, and a little olive oil.  When the pasta is al dente, drain the water and set pasta Continue reading

Spotted: Pears at My House

I recently moved into a new place with plenty of space for me to unpack a bunch of boxed-up décor items that I have accumulated over the last few years. Among these treasures are, of course, various pears in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Since I started working at the Pear Bureau three years ago, many gifts that I have received for birthdays and Christmas – and sometimes even “just because” – have been pear-related: lotions, candles, dish towels, figurines, etc.  While I am a self-proclaimed pear nerd, and have been known to exclaim how beautiful a pear is before slicing it up for a snack, I am picky about my pear décor.  The items may be vintage or modern, but not kitschy.  My goal is subtlety – I have, in fact, been called the “pear lady,” but have no Continue reading

Savvy’s Latin America Tour

Savvy has wrapped up its tour of Latin America, but the group has just released its Spanish-language song, “Tanto Amor”! Click below to have a listen and to see some new footage from the concerts in Mexico! Meanwhile, shoppers in Mexico, both kids and adults alike, showed their love for the band and for USA Pears by donning the costumes famously worn by Savvy in the “I Want a Pear” music video.  You can peruse the adorable – and in some cases, hilarious – photos by clicking on the albums section of the Peras USA Facebook page! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn

New Season Prep

Here at Pear Bureau HQ, the warehouse holds all of our USA Pear promotional materials: from signs and posters that are sent to grocery stores to brochures and recipe handouts.  And everything in between!  Before harvest, as we’re getting ready for the new season, we put together shipments of all these goodies to send to 39 countries around the world. These little guys are on their way to Russia as we speak!  They’ll be used as giveaways at the grocery store or handed out to kids during school activities.  We often hear stories about shoppers that come back, year after year, asking for Pear Buddies when they buy their USA Pears at the grocery store.  Pear Buddy collections have been spotted sitting in the back window of cars, hanging from backpacks, and lined up on desks at offices. You, too, can peruse Continue reading

Kids in the Kitchen

These adorable budding chefs in Mexico have the right idea – “pear”-ing USA Pears with summer fruit for a refreshing snack or side dish!  You and your kiddos can also enjoy Pear Kabobs with Strawberry Dipping Sauce, and the recipe is so simple that they can help put it all together.  Check out more kid-friendly recipes here! Pear Kabobs with Strawberry Dipping Sauce A fruity interpretation of the traditional kabob, this treat is as fun to make as it is to eat! Makes a pear-fect after-school snack! Ingredients 1 cup vanilla yogurt 4 tablespoons strawberry preserves 2 Green or Red Anjou USA Pears, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes 2 bananas, cut into 1-inch slices 1 can pineapple chunks, drained 2 cups strawberries, stems removed 6 wooden skewers Directions In a small bowl, combine the vanilla yogurt and strawberry preserves. Continue reading

Get Them While You Can!

I came across this beautiful illustration from Belgium in our archives.  What a great reminder that USA Red and Green Anjou Pears are still in season!  Both Anjou varieties are sweet, juicy, and delicious!  They’re also very versatile: you can eat them out-of-hand (for me personally, a sliced Anjou is a great addition to my lunch on a daily basis), in salads, as part of an entree, or dessert.  The recipe section at www.usapears.org has great options.  And because the Anjou pear doesn’t change color, remember to Check the Neck for ripeness! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn

Savvy & Peras USA hit Mexico City

Back in December, I posted a video about our upcoming promotion with The Wannabes Starring Savvy.  Shoppers in Mexico can find USA Pear and Savvy displays in grocery stores, as well as participate in contests to win prizes. Savvy just wrapped up a visit to Mexico City and two concerts sponsored by USA Pears.  Audiences were treated to awesome performances, a meet and greet with the band, the chance to win Savvy posters and t-shirts, and gift bags full of USA Pear goodies! Since not all of us were lucky enough to be there in person, here’s a look at the fun! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn

Get Fit, Get Healthy, Eat USA Pears!

This TV commercial from India may be short and sweet, but it’s a great introduction to the fact that USA Pears pack a nutritional punch!  You can find out more by perusing the Pear Nutrition Facts page at usapears.org.  And if you haven’t already, check out Amy’s blog here at The Pear Dish!  As a Registered Dietician, she has great tips for incorporating a healthy diet into your everyday lifestyle – which includes, of course, pears! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn

Spring is Slowly on its Way!

On one of the few sunny days we’ve had here in Oregon since about, October, I made the drive up the beautiful Columbia River Gorge for Hood River’s annual Blossom Festival.  It’s always fun to visit one of our USA Pear growing regions – in addition to the beautiful pear orchards that are near-and-dear to my heart, the scenery, mountains, and rivers in each region are absolutely gorgeous! Unfortunately, Mother Nature’s timing didn’t quite match up with that of the festival, but with a closer look, you’ll see that the buds are just beginning to bloom.  And while I’m content to enjoy spring and summer, I can’t help but also be anxious for the clear autumn days of harvest! Here’s a bonus photo to give you a better idea of what I mean when I say that USA Pear country is scenic: the majestic Continue reading

Dinner Party, Anyone?

Entertaining this weekend?  Courtesy of Pear Panache Chef Stephen Ward of O’Connell Street Bistro in Auckland, New Zealand, you can serve up a gourmet meal with an international flair. Chef Ward’s elegant recipe is sure to impress your guests! You can check out other mouth-watering recipes from our honored culinary professionals at PearPanache.com.  Click here to see our internationally-featured chefs and their recipes from around the world! Seared Whangamata Scallops, Pear & Vanilla Puree, Snow Pea Tendrils and Chorizo Oil Serves 4 32 fresh Whangamata or sea scallops, cleaned Pear and Vanilla Puree 2 Anjou pears, peeled, cored and diced into pieces of equal size 100 ml (3.5 ounces) dry white wine 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped 1 bay leaf Pinch salt Chorizo oil 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 50 g (1 3/4 ounces) chorizo sausage 150 ml (5 ounces) canola or Continue reading