8 Sweet and Savory Pear Recipes That are Pear-fect for Fall (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking method for pears? ›

Poached Pears

Keep the liquid at a very low boil and simmer the pears until cooked through, 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the pears. While they are poaching, every so often gently push down the pears to make sure they are submerged in poaching liquid. (The round of paper helps to keep the pears moist and wet.)

You'll want to choose pears that hold together well when making poached, baked, or grilled pears. Look to the crispest raw pears to find those that can withstand heat. The popular Bosc pear is the best option. Anjou pears are another top choice and Concorde and French butter pears are also reliable.

Eating Fresh: The simplest way to enjoy a butterscotch pear is by eating it fresh. Simply wash the pear, slice it, and savor each juicy, sweet bite. Pairing with Cheese: Butterscotch pears pair wonderfully with a variety of cheeses, such as brie or gorgonzola.

Culinary Uses

Try a sliced Bartlett atop a garden green salad with your favorite dressing. Or, simply serve freshly sliced Bartlett wedges with cheese for an appetizing snack. Always remember that any recipe calling for apples can be made using fresh pears... and Northwest Bartlett pears are an excellent choice!

The peel is nutritious, and it will get soft with cooking. Just rinse them well, and you are good to go. What are good baking pears? Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou are best for baking.

Pear: Pairs well with almond, apple, caramel, chestnut, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus, clove, ginger, hazelnut, nutmeg, pecan, raspberry, rosemary, vanilla, and walnut. It mixes best with brandy, port, crème de cassis, Grand Marnier, kirsch, rum, whiskey, and dry red white, and sparkling wines.

Comice pears were originally cultivated in France. They're known as the sweetest pear variety, and are often the variety shipped in gift boxes. Because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname “the Christmas pear.” Comice pears have light green skin with a blush of pinkish red.

Which pears are best for cooking? Bosc and Anjou varieties are tops at holding their shape and texture. In a pinch, Bartletts and other varieties work fine, too.

Yes, dogs can eat pears. Pears are a great snack because they're high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. If you're sharing pears with your dog, just be sure to cut the pear flesh into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide.

What are buttery pears? ›

A relative of the D'Anjou, Fresh Butter pears have a very creamy texture with a sweet, succulent flavor containing a hint of lemon. This fruit's green skin will take on a slight rusty brown hue as it begins to ripen.

French Butter pears are sweet with a slight lemon flavor. Its juicy and delicate texture melts in your mouth. . . kind of like butter! Slice and enjoy them raw with Roquefort cheese or enjoy its complex flavor in cooking, baking, poaching, or glazing.

Prepare by washing with cold water before eating. No need to peel, just slice pears in half and take out the core with a knife or melon baller. This fun fruit is high in fiber – which helps keep you full – and potassium, a powerful player in hydration, muscle and nerve functioning and regulating blood pressure.

In our September/October 2019 issue, we use pears in everything from a showstopping galette to Champagne-flavored muffins. With so many varieties available on the market, it can be tough to choose which pears work best for baking. We recommend using Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears.

Poaching. One of the more popular cooking methods for fruits is poaching. Poaching softens and tenderizes fruits and infuses them with additional flavors such as spices or wine. Poached fruits can be served hot or cold and used in tarts or pastries or as an accompaniment to meat or poultry dishes.

For some fruits, poaching is a way to soften them up for dishes where they would otherwise add little or no textural value. Pears are often poached so that they become soft enough to be pureed into a sauce or blended into a soup.

If you prefer steaming, place the pear halves or slices in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for about 10-12 minutes or until the pears are tender. If you opt for boiling, place the pears in a saucepan and add enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer.

Both cooked and raw pears are healthy, and can have a positive impact as part of a balanced diet.