9 Recipes That Will Make Pears Your New Favorite Fall Fruit
Con Poulos
Unless you’re heavily invested in fruit baskets, you might not eat a lot of pears. And I get it. They’re hard as a rock at the grocery store and require at least a couple of days on a friendly counter until they’re soft enough to bite into. But that’s where the magic happens.
This fall, do yourself the most-delicious favor: Buy a couple of pears. Set them on the counter. After three days, pick one of these mouthwatering recipes and let those pears shine. You won’t regret it.
For Breakfast
Souffle Pancake with Pear & Apple Compote
In our house we call this a Dutch baby, and it’s hands-down our family’s favorite special breakfast. What makes it so good? It could be the pillowy cloud that emerges from the oven like a delicious science project, but I think it’s thanks in no small part to the rich and sweet compote on top.
One of the things I love about this recipe is how easy it is to serve this dessert for breakfast — minus the ice cream. (Just drizzle a little fresh cream on top and bam, you have the perfect breakfast!)
For Lunch
Giada De Laurentiis’ Pear Gorgonzola Tart
Prosciutto finds the perfect partner in sweet pears for this easy lunch. Start with a store-bought pie crust and the whole thing comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get simpler, along comes this beauty. With a simple vinaigrette and crunchy pecans, this quick salad offers a fresh spin on favorite fall flavors — done in 20 minutes flat.
Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
For Dinner
Apples are typically the go-to fruit pairing for pork, but once you try these soft and juicy pears on top of a perfectly cooked chop, you may never go back. Bonus: Make the chutney ahead of time and dinner’s even easier when you’re ready!
Ina Garten’s Roasted Pears with Blue Cheese
Looking for the perfect fall appetizer? Ina Garten has you covered. Scoop out the cores of a few pears, then fill the hollows with a savory-sweet mix of blue cheese, cranberries and walnuts. They get roasted in a tangy mixture of apple cider and port.
For Dessert
With cinnamon and ginger accents, this pie is everything you love about apples … but even better with the addition of pears.
This is another Barefoot Contessa classic. While this particular recipe sounds fancy, it’s a cinch to make, with perfect results every time.
Sliding a spoon through the soft and warm flesh of a poached pear is just the beginning of your new favorite dessert experience. Make these once and you’ll have a family tradition in the making.
Charity Curley Mathews is the mother of four small kids who love pears. She blogs at Foodlets.com: Mini Foodies in the Making … Maybe about food and parenting.
