Sweet & Spicy Poached Pears
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple or grape juice
- Juice from 1 small lemon (about 3 Tablespoons)
- 2-inch piece of ginger root, peeled & sliced
- ½ teaspoon ceylon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 ripe, hard pears (Bosc or Bartlett are great)
- Optional: 3 black peppercorns, 4 cardamom pods smashed
- !Serving ideas: Serve in sauce, top with raisins, cranberries, melted chocolate, yogurt (Greek or dairy free), chopped walnuts, scoop of coconut cream, over oatmeal, waffles, etc.
Instructions
- Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact.
- Place the pears (standing up or lying down) in a deep, medium-sized saucepan along with the the other ingredients. (Tip: Slicing off the very bottom of the pears so they’re flat will make it easier for the pears to stand on a plate for a nice presentation after they’re cooked.)
- Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes or until a paring knife is easily inserted into the softened pears, turning them halfway through cooking, if lying down. You don’t want the pears to be mushy.
- Remove the pears from the pan and continue to boil the sauce until it thickens.
- Serve right away or keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy
Notes
Makes 8 halves. Per half:
Calories: 46 |
Total Fat: 0 g |
Total Carbohydrate: 18 g |
Dietary Fiber: 3 g |
Protein: 1 g
Note: The flavor intensifies as the pears sit overnight. Pears can be kept in a covered dish in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Ingredient Highlights
Apples cleanse the colon of bacteria, viruses, yeast, and mold. They also support the liver, digestive tract function, and brain health.
While apples are a very healthy food, apple juice is high in sugar and low in fibre. It’s best to stick with eating whole apples and use apple juice sparingly in recipes.
Just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon daily can have positive effects on blood sugar levels, digestion, immunity, and more.
Ginger is a potent aromatic herb and a good natural source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. According to the ancient healing system of Ayurveda, ginger strengthens the immune system by helping to break down toxins in the body’s organs, thereby cleansing the lymphatic system.
One cup of unsweetened pure grape juice contains 70% of the recommended daily intake (DV) of vitamin C. It also contains 26% of the DV of manganese, a mineral needed for bone formation and the production of certain brain neurotransmitters.
Enzymes in fresh lemon juice accelerate the digestive process. Even though lemon juice is acidic, it actually has an alkalizing effect on the body.
The Bartlett pear in North America is the same variety that is called the “Williams” in many other parts of the world. Bartletts found in grocery stores are usually green and will change to yellow as they ripen at room temperature.
Vanilla was once used in Europe as an aphrodisiac and in the production of certain medicines such as nerve stimulants.
Comments