Have you tried: Asian pears?
BY NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON World Scene Writer
Thursday, October 04, 2012
10/04/12 at 3:10 AM
Asian pears frequently suffer from mistaken identity.
They look like golden yellow or brownish-green apples. Crisp and juicy like an apple, they are sometimes even called apple-pears.
There are many variety of Asian pears, each varying slightly in appearance and taste.
And due to their crunchy texture, they work well in recipes that require a juicy fruit with a low acidity. The sweet, floral flavor of Asian pears makes them a good ingredient for raw salads and warm desserts.
Asian pears are also a good source of vitamin C and fiber.
In the United States, the bulk of commercial production comes from California and Oregon with a smaller supply coming out of Washington State, Kentucky and Alabama.
Here are three recipes for the Asian pears.
ASIAN PEAR CAKE
Fruit Mixture:
3 cups diced Asian pears
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 large eggs
1. Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan or spray generously with Baker's Joy or other similar baking spray mixture with flour. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine diced pears, pecans, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar; toss. Cover and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, salt and soda; mix to blend thoroughly. With electric mixture on low, stir in oil, vanilla and eggs until well blended. Stir in the fruit and nut mixture until blended.
4. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes. Turn out onto rack to cool completely. Transfer to a serving plate and glaze with a vanilla or caramel glaze or dust with powdered sugar.
- adapted from about.com
SAUTEED ASIAN PEARS
2 Asian pears
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1. Peel, core and slice 2 Asian pears. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons brown sugar, stirring until melted.
2. Add pear, 1 teaspoon grated orange rind and 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice; cook 5 minutes or until pear is slightly tender.
3. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon; divide among 4 plates. Allow pan juices to thicken; drizzle over pear.
- adapted from Health magazine
ASIAN PEAR SLAW
2 celery ribs
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
2 firm Asian pears, cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks
2 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh hot red chile, or to taste
1. Peel strings from celery with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler and cut celery into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks.
2. Whisk together juice, vinegar and ginger and stir in celery and remaining ingredients with salt and pepper to taste. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.
- adapted from Gourmet magazine
Have you tried ...
From funky fruits and vegetables to the hottest food trends on the market. You want to try them, and we do too. We'll even suggest some ways to cook or serve them. See other "Have You Tried..." features at tulsaworld.com/haveyoutried
Original Print Headline: Have you tried ... asian pears
Have you tried ...
From funky fruits and vegetables to the hottest food trends on the market. You want to try it and we do too. We'll even suggest some ways to try it.
And check out past "Have You Tried..." features and recipes at tulsaworld.com/tryit
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