Pears
Choose pears that have unbroken skin. Pears should firm or yield slightly to the touch. Wash pears carefully in cool water before using. Use pears in stuffing for pork and poultry, or in fruit salad. Use sliced pears to garnish an entree. Softer pears are good for snacking while a firmer pear can be used in baking and cooking. An overripe pear can be used as the base for a blended drink. A slightly underripe pear is perfect for poaching or baking.
To help sliced pears retain their color, dip them into a mixture of one tablespoon lemon juice and one cup water.
Most pears are not ready to eat when purchased, but must ripen a few days at home. Store firm pears in a brown paper bag to ripen. Ripe pears can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Pears and Weightloss (?)
Pack your fruit bowl with pears if you want to lose weight, reports a study out of the University of Rio de Janeiro. In the study, which was published in the journal of Nutrition, women who ate three pears a day consumed fewer total daily calories and lost more weight than those who did not. Pears are rich in fiber (one pear packs 15 percent of your daily recommended amount), and thus, pears should help you feel full and keep you from over-eating.
Suggestion for adding pears to your diet: Eat a pear before a meal to help curb hunger. Ditch the peeler, though; most of the fruit's beneficial fiber is in the skin.
Nutritional Facts:
- Low fat
- Saturated fat-free
- Sodium-free
- Cholesterol-free
- A good source of fiber
- A good source of vitamin C
Serving Suggestions: Serve sliced pears with cheese for an elegant dessert, or add slices to sandwiches or salads for a sweet, crisp kick. For cooking, it is best to choose pears that are a bit firm.
See also: Peach, Pear, Persimmon and Pineapple Food Facts
Recipe: Pear and Apple Dish
1 cup apple juice, unfiltered
1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts
2 Pears
1/2 cup grapes
2 apples
1/2 cup cherries, (pitted)
Core pears and apples, remove seeds and chop.
Mix with alfalfa sprouts.
Garnish with grapes and cherries.
Pour juice over top.
Print just this recipe. (New window)
See also:
Pears and Raspberry Jam
Pear Bundt Cake
Pear and Apple Saute
Apple Pear Salsa
Pear and Apple Sauce
Print Page 
Back to Index 
Email this Page!
