Ginger Almond Pears

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Ginger Almond Pears

6 Servings

Pears are one of the few fruits that actually improve in texture and flavor

after being picked a little green. You can store them in a paper bag for a

couple of days to speed up ripening. A little softness around the stems and

a change in skin color means they're ready. Bartletts, red Bartletts, or

Anjou varieties have the best flavor and are good for cooking. When the time

comes for thickening the pear sauce, I prefer arrowroot over cornstarch,

although it is a little harder to find. Arrowroot comes from a tropical

tuber whose root stalks are dried and ground into a fine starchy powder

that's very easy to digest. Sauces thickened with arrowroot are a little

finer than those thickened with cornstarch but you can use either.

The most potent ingredient in this dessert, and the one that gets it into my

cookbook though, is the ginger. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is known

throughout the world for its tonic and spiritually uplifting properties.

When used fresh, it's especially effective at improving digestion and

calming nausea and indigestion - making it a great follow-up to any hearty

meal.

Ingredients:

5 firm ripe pears

3 cups apple cider

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger root

3 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Peel the pears, quarter them lengthwise, and core. Slice pears thinly and

place in a saucepan with the apple cider and ginger root. Add a pinch of

salt.

2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until pears are tender, about 15

minutes.

3. Dissolve cornstarch or arrowroot in 1/3 cup cold water and add to the

simmering pears, stirring, until the sauce is thick and clear.

4. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Serve warm or cold.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving:

184.9 calories

0.9 g total fat (0 g sat)

0.0 mg cholesterol

46.7 g carbohydrate

0.8 g protein

4.7 g fiber

-Recipe reprinted with permission of DrWeil.com.

'All that I have seen teaches me to trust God for all I have not seen.'

~Sugar