Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pear-Rhubarb Breakfast Crisp

Andrea Slonecker By on

Pears pair perfectly with spring ingredients like rhubarb. Throughout the month of May, consider combining the two in your favorite recipes, from pies and tarts to chutney and compote. This hearty breakfast bake highlights in-season Anjous in a more healthful take on warm fruit crisp, with a crunchy, granola-like topping. It’s positively delicious with a big spoonful of creamy Greek yogurt. Kids will love the idea of dessert for breakfast, but with olive oil standing in for butter, and maple syrup adding a touch of sweetness, it provides a satisfyingly wholesome start to their day. Serves 6 to 8 Ingredients: 3 large USA Red Anjou Pears (about 1 1/2 pounds), stemmed, cored, and sliced 1 pound rhubarb, trimmed and cut on a bias into 1/2-inch slices Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 cup firmly packed brown Continue reading →

Cauliflower Pear Soup

Amy Sherman By on

Cauliflower and pear are blended together to form a rich and creamy soup with just a hint of sweetness. A garnish of pear and sage leaves adds a festive touch.  Ingredients:                2 Red D’anjou pears 1 head of cauliflower, about 4 cups roughly chopped 2 cups water 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup whole milk 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 10-12 fresh sage leaves Directions:  Peel, core and chop one pear, then cut the other pear in half and peel, core and chop one half. Remove the core from the reserved pear half, and finely dice it, and set it aside for a garnish. Place the chopped pear and cauliflower in a soup pot and add the water and broth. Bring to a boil over Continue reading →

Stuffed Avocado with Bay Shrimp, Pear, and Mango

Hilary By on

This stuffed avocado recipe is both simple and elegant. Begin with sweet and salty bay shrimp, and add crunchy pears and tropical, ripe mango to provide great texture and flavor. Bright, fresh lime juice plays perfectly with the creamy, rich avocado, and a pop of fresh mint will bring it all together. Serve this salad for lunch on a warm day, or alongside some grilled meat at your next barbecue. Ingredients 8 oz. bay shrimp ¼ a red onion, finely minced 1 firm ripe USA Pear, small dice 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced small 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice 2 teaspoons neutral oil, such as grapeseed ¼ teaspoon sea salt 1 small handful fresh mint leaves, torn 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted Directions In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, onion, pear, mango, and lime juice and Continue reading →

Tackle the Fridge!

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

This weekend I tackled the fridge, and I don’t mean Super Bowl XX champions Chicago Bears’ William “Refrigerator” Perry. I’d like to say that I clean my fridge at least once per month, but like most Americans I only get to this important task about twice per year. Unfortunately, this practice can lead to increased food spoilage, food waste and risk for foodborne illness. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), 9000 deaths and 6.5 to 33 million illnesses each year are directly linked to foodborne illness – often from not keeping foods at the appropriate temperture. [1] It seems to me we need to talk about refrigerator health! First things first: Your refrigerator should remain under 40°F. Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40° and 140°F, called the Food Danger Zone, and some can double in number Continue reading →

Smart Snacking 101: Using the Rule of Two

Willow Jarosh MS, RD & Stephanie Clarke MS, RD By on

Follow this snacking rule to stay satisfied and energized longer! Snacking has some major benefits, aside from being fun and delicious. We can think of a couple easy scenarios where snacks are critical to a busy day: 1.  When hunger strikes in between your normal meal times. Having a snack between meals can help keep you satisfied, so you don’t nosh on the first thing (or everything) you see. 2.  When meals don’t have enough fruits and veggies, snacks come to the rescue to balance things out. Not all snacks are created equal. Some snacks can leave you with low energy, craving more food soon after eating. As Registered Dietitians, we often get asked to share our tips for the ultimate snack that provides long-lasting energy, steady blood sugar and will keep you full. We recommend using the “rule of Continue reading →

Snack Right to Stay Healthy Through the Holidays

Willow Jarosh MS, RD & Stephanie Clarke MS, RD By on

Office candy dishes, gifts of baked goods, parties, dinners, and extra-packed to-do lists all shuffle in with the holiday season. And increased stress levels can also follow suit. While we can’t do your holiday shopping for you, we can offer up a helpful tool for keeping your energy level stable, your mood happier, and your weight steadier during the holiday season… snacks. But not just any old snacks will do, follow these four tips to ensure your snacks are energy-boosting powerhouses. Use the Rule of 2: The combination of protein, high fiber/less processed carbohydrates, and fat is one that keeps blood sugar and energy levels stable for hours. At mealtime, make sure you have this triple threat (+ veggies!) on your plate. At snack time, aim for at least 2 of the 3…what we call the “rule of 2.” Examples: Continue reading →

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

This winter has been one of the coldest, snowiest I can remember! I don’t like being cold, so I spent this past weekend watching a movie marathon while 10 inches of snow fell outside. And… now it’s official: I have the winter doldrums. But, nothing can fix this cabin fever like a little exercise! Today I’m planning to be active, won’t you join me? Exercise boosts endorphins, chemicals that trigger feel-good emotions in your brain. Likewise, exercise focuses the brain and relieves stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disruptions that lead to more stress. While we still have this snow, I’m planning to pull out my sturdier running shoes for a short snow run – I feel less impact on my knees. Walking releases stress, too, and allows me and my doggie to enjoy the loveliness of the winter wonderland! Perhaps Continue reading →

Shaved Pear and Vegetable Salad with Blue Cheese

Hilary By on

Here is a distinctive salad recipe that uses slightly underripe pears. All of the salad components are shaved very thinly using a mandoline slicer, making the salad not only beautiful, but highlighting the unique texture of every ingredient. Try substituting different seasonal vegetables to make your own version—thinly sliced celery, sweet onion, cabbage, delicata squash, carrots—whatever you like! Ingredients Dressing 2 tablespoons tangerine juice (from one juicy tangerine) 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar 2 teaspoons sugar ½ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons walnut oil Salad 1 small red onion, peeled and trimmed 1 fennel bulb (reserve delicate fronds for garnish) 1 small bunch radishes, bottoms trimmed and about ½ inch of the top left on (leaving a little greenery on makes the radishes easy to hold while slicing on the mandoline) 2 raw beets, peeled and trimmed Continue reading →

Check the neck.

Brittany By on

It’s a simple catchphrase, but it does its job, as the best of catchy phrases should. Check the neck: these three words are the key to sweet and juicy USA Pears. If you’re one of those people, like my roommate, who has always felt, oh, ambivalent about eating (not to mention enjoying) fresh pears, you’ll want to pay attention now. You’ve probably felt that way because the pears you’ve had in the past have been lackluster. Unripe. Overripe. Languishing in a fruit cocktail mix on your grade school lunch line. But that can all change now! You, too, can enjoy juicy, delicious pears that are sweet as candy! You’ll just need to check the neck. It’s simple: hold a pear in the palm of your hand and press near the stem with your thumb. If the skin there gives a little Continue reading →