Author Archives: Neil Ferguson

5 Recipes to Pear Up For Better Breakfast Month

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September is Better Breakfast Month, which means it’s the perfect time to make eating a healthy breakfast a priority in your daily routine. This month also happens to be when sweet and juicy Northwest pears are in season and available at grocery stores everywhere. One medium-sized pear contains 6 grams of fiber and only 100 calories, so it will keep you full without loading you with sugar and fat. Besides being nutritious, pears are incredibly versatile as an ingredient and this is especially true when it comes to whipping up a wholesome breakfast! From oatmeal to smoothies, pears are a delicious way to step up your game for Better Breakfast Month. 1. Instant Pot Pear Oatmeal Jars The Instant Pot, that magical cooking appliance that allows you to do everything from sautéing to pressure-cooking, is all the rage right now. Continue reading →

5 Grilled Pear Recipes to Rock Your Summer

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turkey burger grilled pear sliders

Few things say summer like cooking over fire (or propane if that’s your thing). There’s just something magical about the simplicity of food cooked on an open flame that lends itself to warm weather and hanging out with friends. Of course, we can always count on the staples like hot dogs and hamburgers, but sometimes it’s fun to get a little adventurous on the grill. Fruits and vegetables are wonderfully complemented by a slight char and a kiss of smoke, whether skewered alongside protein on a kabob or grilled on their own. Sweet and juicy pears are a surprisingly versatile ingredient both on their own and as part of other dishes. If you’re looking to mix things up and pop some pears on the grill this summer, these five recipes are guaranteed to make you a hero at the next Continue reading →

5 Pear Salads To Freshen Up Your Spring

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When you think of spring, what comes to mind? Nourishment, freshness and rejuvenation may all describe it, and not just the season but also your diet and lifestyle. If you’re the type who hibernates all winter, then spring is ideal from coming out of your shell and embracing healthy choices and better eating habits before summer hits. Besides their sweetness, pears make a great addition to salads as a way to elevate the nutritional value of the dish. One medium-sized pear packs 6 grams of fiber and contains zero sodium, fat or cholesterol, so you get all of the flavor and texture without the unhealthiness. Plus, when it comes salads, there are endless pear-ssibilities! We recommend kicking off spring with these five flavorful pear salads to suit any occasion. 1. Grilled and Fresh Pear Salad with Chile Oil and Togarashi Try Continue reading →

Keep Love In The Air With Chocolate and Pears

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Love is in the air and few things are as enticing as the passionate relationship between chocolate and pears. These two foods may come from opposite worlds but when they meet, the chemistry is unmistakable and downright charming. The possibilities are truly endless with these two simple ingredients, and you don’t need to be a gourmet chef to pull off something delicious and creative. We can’t prove it, but we are pretty sure chocolate and pears will please pretty much anyone. As you think of the perfect way to please your Valentine, consider savoring the joyous relationship that is chocolate and pears with these five recipes. 1. Dark Chocolate Dipped Pears Move over strawberries— there’s another fruit that tastes amazing when dipped in chocolate! Rich dark chocolate pairs perfectly with Red Anjou pears, which just so happen to be heart-check Continue reading →

5 Hearty Pear Soups to Warm Your Winter

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Few things warm the body and soul like a bowl of soup in the wintertime. When it’s cold outside, soup can bring a sense of nourishment and comfort. The winter months also happen to be an ideal time to experiment in the kitchen since the frigid temperatures keep many of us inside. Pears may not be an ingredient that immediately comes to mind when you think of soup, but they can bring a unique flavor and texture to both sweet and savory soups. They’re also an excellent source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C, making them a nutritious and delicious ingredient. Whether sautéed with vegetables before stock is added, roasted and pureed to blend with stocks, or simply chopped and added to an already simmering broth, pears are a fun and tasty way to step up your Continue reading →

12 Creative Ways to Poach a Pear

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How many ways can you poach a pear? There may not be a set answer when you consider that the pear-ssibilities are endless. The classic go-to seems to be red or white wine poached pears, which is definitely one of the prettiest and most decadent ways to poach. But when it comes to poaching, sometimes it’s worth it to think outside the pear box. Besides wine, pears can be poached in cider, bold and flavorful beers like stouts and Belgian ales, and even espresso, among other liquids. Restaurants love to impress diners with beautifully poached pear dishes because, besides being delicious, they are visually striking. Even though poached pears may look challenging to make, most recipes are easier than you might think. December is National Pear Month and the time of year when all ten varieties of Northwest pears are Continue reading →

10 Pear Cocktails to Brighten Your Holiday Spirit

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Hailed as a “gift of the gods” by the Greek poet Homer in his epic The Odyssey, the venerable pear has graced civilizations for more than four thousand years. For a chunk of that time, crafty folks have been incorporating the fruit into their alcoholic beverages. Like other fruits, pears are a delicious and creative ingredient, and it’s no surprise that mixologists jump at the chance to include them in their libations. Even though there are plenty of reasons to eat pears for their nutritious value, there are also reasons incorporate pears into more fun parts of the menu. Whether muddled, juiced, mixed, pureed, shaken or stirred, pears present countless possibilities as a cocktail ingredient. Because it’s the holiday season as well as pear season – not to mention National Pear Month – we figure there’s no better time to Continue reading →

These 15 Pear-a-licious Dishes Will Win Thanksgiving

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Between family gatherings, office parties and every kind of celebration in between, we often find ourselves overindulging during the holidays. This isn’t a bad thing as we all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while. This is where pears come in! Besides being sweet, juicy and delicious, they are also high in fiber and are sodium free, fat-free, and cholesterol free, plus they’re a good source of vitamin C! Pears can make for a creative and healthier alternative to many holiday dishes. Even if whatever you’re cooking isn’t super healthy, you can at least add nutritional value simply by including pears. Plus, all 10 varieties of USA Pears are in season right now, which means there are lots of possibilities when it comes to using them in whatever you cook. With Thanksgiving around the corner, we decided to dig Continue reading →

5 Ways You Can Celebrate World Pear Day 2017

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2017 marks the second year we are officially celebrating World Pear Day, which kicks off National Pear Month in December.  We are excited to share the festivities with pear lovers around the world on December 2. Beginning in New Zealand, people will have the opportunity to taste a variety of USA-grown pears via pop-up sampling opportunities in more than 24 countries including China, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and the U.S. for 24 hours of continuous sampling and promotion of USA Pears. For those of you looking to pear-take in the fun, here are five ways you can celebrate World Pear Day!   1. Use the hashtag #WorldPearDay! Part of what makes World Pear Day so exciting is the chance to connect with pear lovers across the globe, and the best way to do that is by joining in on Continue reading →