Chef Nancy Berkoff shares information on pears in her recent Vegan Cooking Tips column that regularly appears in Vegetarian Journal. Are you looking for ideas on how to prepare dishes with pears? Nancy states:

“When you’ve got a blender handy, purée overripe pears with your favorite juice and/or yogurt for a fast morning meal. Leftovers can be frozen for your very own signature pear sherbet. Pears can be oh-so-thinly sliced and put on cold sandwiches or diced and added to cooked rice, couscous, or pasta. If you’re in a chocolate mood (who isn’t?!), melt vegan chocolate chips in the microwave and dip fresh pear pieces for a pear fondue. Leftovers, if there are any, can be refrigerated for a cold snack.

If you have time, rather than baked apples, you can create baked pears. Cut several pears in half and scoop out the seeds. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking dish with vegetable spray. Place pears in baking dish, cut side down. Combine equal parts of apple juice or pear nectar and maple syrup, sprinkle over pears, cover, and bake until soft (or the texture you like). Serve as a dessert, with sorbet or vegan yogurt and some berries, or have for breakfast with some granola, chopped nuts, or vegan yogurt… or keep in the refrigerator for a fast snack. When you have a grill on, cut fresh pears in half lengthwise, spray with a bit of vegetable oil, and grill, cut side down, until the texture you like is attained. You can sprinkle grilled pears with chili powder, garlic, and onion for a savory side dish or with cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger for a sweet one.

Finally, if you can stop yourself from eating pears straight from the fruit bowl, think about adding chopped pears to green salads, yogurt, smoothies, rice dishes, cooked vegetable dishes (as a garnish), or on your morning cereal.”

You’ll also learn about different types of pears, as well as which wine goes with specific types of pears.

The complete article can be read here: Quick and Easy Ideas for Preparing Dishes with Pears

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