Wine Poached Pear in Chocolate Sauce

Moms, do something tasty and healthful – eat a pear

(ARA) – With the kids back in school and the holidays a heartbeat away, this is a busy time for mothers everywhere. While you’re busy taking care of the family and work, you might forget to take care of yourself. But this busy fall season, there’s an easy and delicious way to do something good for your health – eat a pear.

As the weather cools, pears become plentiful, offering a bounty of crisp flavor and health benefits, including the chance to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition cited pears as a food that may help reduce cardiovascular risk among post-menopausal women.

Pears contain flavonoids and anthocyanins that are believed to be linked to heart health. They are also an excellent source of fiber, another nutrient known to combat heart disease and promote digestive health. Pears are naturally cholesterol and sodium free, and contain just 1 gram of fat. A California Bartlett pear has just 100 calories and packs a powerful punch of vitamin C and potassium.

Here are some facts, ideas and recipes to help you incorporate pears into your diet:

* Pears are usually available through fall into early winter. The Bartlett pear is the major variety produced in California.

* Pear varieties grown in California include Forelle, Seckel, Sunsprite, Red Pear, Bosc, Comice and Bartlett. Each has its own distinct color, shape and flavor.

* For a quick, fun and nutritious breakfast or anytime treat, top a slice of whole grain wheat toast with almond butter and sliced pears.

* Make a spread of chopped pear, chopped walnuts, cinnamon and honey and use it as a spread on your bagel (instead of fatty cream cheese). Or, you can put it on toast, muffins or even crackers.

* Dip sliced pears in honey and then chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or even chocolate sprinkles for a healthy snack that only seems decadent.

* Instead of croutons which are high in fat, top your salad with sliced pears. Add extra pizzazz with crumbled bleu cheese and walnuts.

* For an interesting twist, top your holiday ham or pork roast with pear slices instead of pineapple. Place the slices on top of the meat just 15 minutes before it finishes cooking.

* Add chopped pears to a salsa of red bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro and lemon juice. Serve it with pita chips, baked tortilla slices or with chicken breasts or quesadillas.

Try these two pear recipes for treats that seem decadent but are actually healthful and delicious:

Wine Poached Pears in Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:

6 fresh California pears, peeled and sprinkled with the lemon juice as they are peeled (Bosc is the traditional variety for this recipe, but any variety may be used)
1/4 cup lemon juice
Peel of 1 lemon
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups of water
1 bottle of red wine
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 pinch ground cloves
Fat free chocolate syrup

Directions:

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, make a simple syrup by combining red wine, sugar, water, lemon juice and lemon peel. Bring to a boil and reduce by 1/4. Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and stir. Stand pears in the pan with syrup, not touching each other. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Let pears cool in syrup, then gently lift with a slotted spoon, place on a platter or bowl and set red wine mixture aside.

To serve, pour chocolate into individual serving bowls and warm slightly in microwave. Place poached pear on top of chocolate and drizzle with poaching juices. Top with additional chocolate syrup or chocolate shavings. Note: Pears can be poached a couple days ahead of time and refrigerated and warmed in the microwave or eaten cold.

Serves 6.

Fresh Herb Yogurt Dip with Sliced Pears

Ingredients:

2 cups yogurt cheese (see below)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
Freshly ground pepper
Dash Allspice
6 fresh California pears, any variety, or a mix (sliced)
Honey (optional)

Yogurt cheese recipe:

Line a sieve with a coffee filter or double thickness of cheesecloth. Suspend the sieve over a deep bowl. Spoon plain yogurt into the filter, cover with plastic wrap, and allow the whey to drip out. When the yogurt has the consistency of soft, velvety spreadable cheese, after about six hours, scrape into a bowl.

Add herbs and seasonings to yogurt cheese. Stir. Cover and refrigerate for two hours or up to 24 hours. Serve with sliced pears and a dollop of honey.

Fresh Herb Yogurt Dip with Sliced Pears

For more ideas and recipes to incorporate pears into your diet, visit www.calpear.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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From Creme Fraiche to Ricotta Cheese

(ARA) – Whether you’re looking to liven up your favorite soup, add a creamy twist to a newly-discovered dessert or lighten your grandmother’s old-fashioned pancake batter recipe, look no further than a few simple ingredients that can easily become a part of your culinary line-up.

One of these increasingly popular staples — creme fraiche made with Real California Milk offers an easy, flavorful, special touch to thicken soups, top fresh fruit, make custard creamy or give mashed potatoes more body. Creme fraiche also stays fresh for up to 12 weeks, making it a cost-effective staple to keep in your refrigerator and usable in multiple dishes.

Using creme fraiche as an added ingredient or a substitute to recipes is a surprisingly easy and inexpensive way to pep up many everyday meals, but it’s not the only secret to success. Try using these other dairy products as simple ingredient suggestions to bring out the best in your recipes:

* Fold ricotta cheese into pancake batter to make it lighter and fluffier.
* Drain low-fat yogurt through a coffee filter for a few hours and sweeten with honey for a rich-tasting, low-calorie dessert topping.
* For the most tender fried chicken, marinate overnight in buttermilk before breading.
* Use milk instead of water in bread dough for a sweeter, more tender crumb.
* To thicken sauces without lumps, knead together equal amounts of butter and flour and stir into hot sauce.
* Add a spoonful of heavy cream to scrambled eggs just before they are done to make them extra-rich and creamy.

For more tips and recipes using California dairy products like creme fraiche that carry the Real California Milk seal, check out www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com

To start discovering the unexpected with creme fraiche, try this easy recipe using California creme fraiche:

Baked Pears with Creme Fraiche

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:
3 medium pears, peeled, halved and cored
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon apple pie spice*
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup creme fraiche
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted (optional)

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Place pear halves, cut side down, on cutting board. Starting about 1/2-inch from stem end, make 7 lengthwise cuts in each half, cutting to the bottom but leaving pears slices attached at the stem end. Arrange pear halves, cut side down, in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.

2. In small saucepan, combine sugar, water, apple pie spice and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Pour sugar mixture over pears.

3. Bake, covered, 40-45 minutes or until pears are tender, basting occasionally with sauce.

4. Spread two tablespoons crème fraiche onto one side of each of 6 dessert plates; spoon one tablespoon sauce from pears on the other side. With slotted spoon, place pear half in center of each plate; garnish with almonds, if desired. Serve immediately.

*To make apple spice, combine 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice and 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom.

Recipe provided by the California Milk Advisory Board and Bellwether Farms

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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