SautÉed Pears Food

SAUTéED PEARS WITH BACON AND MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp around edges, 10-12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 Tbsp. bacon fat from skillet.
• Season pears with salt and pepper and cook in skillet with bacon fat over medium-high, turning occasionally, until golden brown and starting to soften (they should be slightly firm at cores), 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a platter; let cool.
• Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, mustard, and 3 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl to combine; season dressing with salt and pepper. Toss walnuts with remaining 2 tsp. oil in another small bowl; season with salt. Drizzle dressing over pears and scatter walnuts and bacon on top. Just before serving, top with chives.
• Do ahead
• Dish (without chives) can be made 3 hours ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

SAUTEED PEARS WITH MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk in oil; combine well. Set aside.
• Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Add the pear slices, in batches if needed; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Saute slices over medium-high heat until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, turn pears over, and cook until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add Calvados, and cook, until liquid has reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and set aside.
• To serve, toss the salad greens with the prepared vinaigrette. Place on serving plates, arrange pears on top of greens, and drizzle any collected juices from the pan over the pears. Garnish with the dried cranberries.

SAUTEED PEARS

Steps:

• Cut each pear into 8 wedges. Toss the pears and the lemon juice in a non-reactive medium bowl, and set aside.
• Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pears and about 1/2 cup water. Sprinkle with the sugar. Simmer until the water has evaporated and the pears turn golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Serve warm with hot cereal.

SAUTEED PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In large serving bowl, place lettuce.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil (or butter) on medium-heat 1 minute. add pears and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until they begin to soften and turn golden.
• Meanwhile, in cup, stir vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
• Add vinegar mixture to pears in skillet, and cook 1 minute or until liquid begins to thicken.
• Pour pears and liquid from skillet into bowl with lettuce, toss to coat. Serve immediately.

ROASTED PEARS WITH SAGE AND CRISP PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Place a rack in upper third of the oven and heat to 450 degrees F. Place 1 sage leaf on a pear slice and secure by wrapping 1 piece prosciutto like a "belt" around the pear. Repeat to make 24 pieces.
• Evenly space pears on a baking sheet and place in oven to cook until prosciutto is crisp and pears are slightly softened, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Pears can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
• Pears can also be served uncooked, if desired.

SAUTEED PEARS WITH PUMPKIN SEED PRALINE CREAM

Steps:

• Saute pears in butter for about 3 to 4 minutes or until just soft and golden. Add the vanilla, port and lemon juice. Toss for a couple of minutes just to reduce sauce a little. Remove from heat. Whip cream with icing sugar until peaks begin to form. Fold in the ground praline. Serve over warm pears.
• In a medium saucepan with heavy bottom on high, heat sugar until melted and starting to turn amber. Add the pumpkin seeds and continue to cook for about 2 minutes or until sugar turns a rich brown caramel color. Be cautious because seeds will pop. Tilt pan to blend sugar, do not stir. Ensure that you have a baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready as mixture is very hot. Remove from heat immediately and pour onto baking sheet. Let cool completely. Transfer to food processor and grind.

SAUTEED PEARS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Cut each pear into 8 wedges, removing the core and stem.
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add sugar and pears, stirring gently.
• Cook until lightly brown, approximately 5 minutes.
• Remove to plates and drizzle each pear with several drops of balsamic vinegar.
• Serve warm or room temperature.

BREAKFAST SOUFFLES WITH SAUTEED PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter six 2/3-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in 6 tablespoons sugar. Add pears and sauté until tender and golden, about 5 minutes. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, egg yolks and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Sift flour and cornstarch into cream cheese mixture. Stir just until blended (do not overmix).
• Beat egg whites in another large bowl until foamy. Add cream of tartar and beat until firm peaks form. Add remaining 1/3 cup sugar; beat egg whites until glossy. Stir 1 cup of egg whites into cream cheese mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula, gently fold in remaining whites. Divide among prepared dishes.
• Bake soufflés until just set and slightly brown on top, about 25 minutes. Rewarm pears over medium-low heat. Remove soufflés from oven. Run tip of small knife around sides of soufflés to loosen. Using oven mitts for protection, turn soufflés out onto plates. Serve warm with sautéed pears.