Vanilla Ginger Asian Pears Food

VANILLA-GINGER ASIAN PEARS

Steps:

• Cut each pear quarter lengthwise into 4 slices, and place in a large bowl. Bring ginger, vanilla seeds and pod, sugar, and water to a boil in a small saucepan for 3 minutes. Pour mixture over pears. Press a piece of parchment directly on surface, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Discard vanilla pod and ginger. Divide pears among 4 bowls, and serve with cookies or wafers on the side if desired.

POACHED PEARS IN HONEY, GINGER AND CINNAMON SYRUP

Steps:

• In a saucepan large enough to hold all the pears, combine the wine, Simple Syrup, cinnamon stick halves, honey, and ginger. Scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean and add the bean and seeds to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the honey has melted. Add the pears and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from the liquid and allow to cool.
• Continue to simmer the liquid until it thickens and is reduced by half, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon stick halves and the vanilla bean and discard.
• Place each pear on a small serving plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with the honey, ginger and cinnamon syrup. Serve immediately.
• In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool.

PEAR VANILLA JAM

Steps:

• Peel, core and quarter the pears. (While you're doing this, add the cut pieces to a large bowl of water with some lemon juice squeezed in, to prevent darkening.).
• Drain the pears, and transfer them to the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse them a few times. You're looking to get them chopped, not to puree them.
• Grate a couple pinches of fresh nutmeg over the sugar.
• Add the pears, sugar, and lemon juice to a large pot, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Simmer 40 minutes. You may have to stir frequently to prevent burning.
• Remove the mixture from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Spoon into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Wipe the jar rims and adjust the lids.
• Process in boiling water for 10 minutes.

ASIAN APPLE PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over low heat until the fruit is soft but not falling apart.
• Watch, you will probably have to add a little more water once or twice during the cooking so as not to scorch the fruit.
• Don't drown them, just a couple of tbsp at a time.
• Remove Cardamom seeds and serve.

ASIAN PEARS WITH GINGER-MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup water and fresh ginger in heavy medium saucepan. Cover; simmer until ginger is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in syrup, whiskey, lemon juice, lemon peel and nutmeg. Simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
• Slice pears into rounds. Overlap 6 rounds on each plate. Drizzle sauce over. Top with crystallized ginger and mint.

ASIAN PEAR CLAFOUTI WITH A CITRUS-GINGER GLAZE

Steps:

• 1. Spray 8 inch springform pan with cooking spray. Heat oven to 350 degrees
• 2. Unroll puff pastry onto a lightly floured parchment paper or counter top. Press pastry with floured fingertips until creases are removed and pastry fits into pan. Gently press pastry into the sprayed springform pan and press pastry up sides of pan to form 2 inch crust or tart shell.
• 3. Break goat cheese into small pieces and place in bottom of shell. Top with sliced pears.
• 4. In a small bowl, beat eggs and sugar about 1 minute. Add flour, cream and vanilla. Gently pour mixture over pears.
• 5. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees
• 6. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine orange marmalade, honey, ginger and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer about 3-5 minutes or until mixture reduces by ½. Cool slightly. Brush top of clafouti with glaze. Serve clafouti warm with remaining glaze. Makes 8 servings