Pere...Pears

Pears, originally from western Asia and now cultivated throughout Europe and the Americas, are in season most of the year both in Italy and in the United States, although the varieties differ by season. In the fall and winter, you can buy them a little tougher because they continue to ripen off the tree, while in the summer you should get them when slightly soft. Right now in Italy, the Kaiser, Decana del Comizio, Williamas Rosso, Abate Fetel, and Santa Maria varieties are in season.[i] They are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and high in fiber.[ii]

Last weekend, I was up the hills outside Torino at our friend Genio's country home. As dessert, Genio prepared some very simple poached pears.

Last December, at a fancy restaurant back in the center of town, I had a eaten a similar dish with Camembert cheese at a work event... and this past Valentine's Day I decided to make it as an appetizer for my boyfriend. It's simple but incredibly tasty. Try it for yourself...

Decadent Roasted Pears

Ingredients:

sliced almonds

one package of brie or Camembert cheese

fresh thyme or rosemary

honey (natural and organic!)

quality olive oil

white table wine

one or two small or medium-sized pears

aluminum foil

Instructions:

1. Start pre-heating the oven on a high setting.

2. Put the sliced almonds in a pan over medium heat. Shake every 30 seconds or so to move them around so they don't burn. When they are golden brown in color and you can smell them roasting, take them off the heat.

3. Prepare your cheese: first, put the entire block (if you slice it like mine in the picture for littler portions, it's ok, it just might end up a little messier) on a sheet of aluminum foil around four times its size, enough to crunch up the sides and make a little enclosed cheese packet so the cheese and its garnishing don't get everywhere when you put it in the oven.

4. Cut a little design in the top of the cheese to let the herbs, olive oil, and honey seep in a bit. Over the cheese sprinkle the fresh thyme, then drizzle over it a big spoonful of honey and just a bit of olive oil, and lastly toss on the roasted almonds. Close up the aluminum foil and wait to put the cheese in the oven with the pear.

5. Next, put 2 parts white wine and 1 part water into a pot large enough to hold the pears. Place the pears in the pot, making sure that they are covered by the diluted wine. Turn the heat on high. Once the wine mixture begins to boil, leave the pears to cook for around 15 minutes.

6. After the 15 minutes, take out the pears carefully to avoid bruising and run them under very cold water. Then peel off the skin with your fingers.

7. Cut the pears in half, leaving the stem on, for decoration. Cut out the seeds.

8. Place each pear on a sheet of aluminum foil around three times its size, enough to fold up the sides so its liquids don't get everywhere when you put it in the oven. Drizzle over the pears a tiny bit of olive oil, fold up the sides of the foil, without closing it like you did with the cheese (let them breeze and roast a bit!) and put them in the heated oven with your cheese packet.

9. After ten minutes, take out all the foil-wrapped goodies in the oven. Remove the pears and cheese carefully from the foil onto a plate.

10. Enjoy alone, or with a piece of toasted bread.

By chance, a few days later last week, on my friend Jill’s balcony (which, side note, has a gorgeous view of the city and is the perfect place for eating, drinking, and having fun with friends), I ate another great cheese and pear combination. This time the pears were served fresh and crispy with gooey, sweet Gorgonzola from the local market.

I re-created the platter at home a few days ago because we ate the first one up too fast to take pictures!

That’s all for this week. I hope you’ve been inspired!

*** Remember to try and buy organic produce from your local farmer's market free of pesticides and full of natural nutrients!***

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[i] http://www.sistemafrutta.it/prodotti.html

[ii] http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/products/articles/pear-culinary-file/