Pear and Sausage Stuffing

Whether you are a “stuffing” or a “dressing” kind of person, pears add a magical twist when served alongside your holiday bird. Because they are sautéed and then baked, the pears are meant to be meltingly soft in this side dish, and any variety will do. Sausage adds a piquant kick, and don’t skimp on those fresh herbs. Consider this recipe another delicious vehicle for getting pears on your Thanksgiving table. Serves 8 Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing and brushing 1 (20-ounce) loaf white bread, crusts trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage 1 sweet yellow onion, chopped 3 celery ribs, chopped 12 ounces mild Italian pork sausage (casings removed if the sausage is in links) 2 ripe USA Pears, stemmed, cored, and cut into Continue reading

Pear, Roasted Carrot, and Ginger Quinoa Pilaf

Fall is in the air, and all types of fresh pears are arriving at local grocers. This pear and quinoa pilaf makes a healthy and filling side dish or lunch. I love finding new ways to use quinoa, and roasted carrots and ginger make a wonderful savory contrast to the honey sweetness of the pears in this dish. Try this recipe with small and colorful Seckels if you can find them, but if not, any firm-ripe pear will do! Ingredients 2 cups multicolored carrots, medium dice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup quinoa, rinsed 1 ¼ cups vegetable broth 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated Half an orange, zest and juice 6 firm-ripe Seckel USA Pears (or substitute 2 large pears), sliced or diced ¼ cup roasted and salted pistachios Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions Preheat the oven to Continue reading

German Pancake with Caramelized Pears

This large pancake puffs up in the oven but quickly deflates. Anjou pears hold their shape beautifully and add plenty of flavor to this breakfast entrée. Ingredients               4 eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt 3 Anjou (Red or Green) USA Pears, peeled, cored, and sliced, about 3 cups ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ cup sugar Powdered sugar Directions  Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs then add the milk, flour, vanilla, and salt. Continue whisking until batter is smooth. Melt the butter in a cast iron or ovenproof 10-inch skillet. Add the pears and cinnamon and cook, stirring gently, until the pears begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar and cook over medium Continue reading

Kale and Pear Salad with Lime-Yogurt Dressing

I’ve been dreaming about how I could create a kale and pear salad for some time now, and I think I’ve come up with the perfect combination. If you’ve yet to find a kale salad you love, try making this one, which calls for baby kale, the young, tender leaves of the plant. Toss the baby kale with sweet, ripe pears and my lime yogurt dressing, and then add texture and color with freeze-dried corn, salty pumpkin seeds, crumbled cotija cheese, and the bright pop of pomegranate seeds. If you find fresh pomegranates are unavailable, use freeze-dried seeds – you can often find a small section with a variety of freeze-dried fruits and veggies at a natural foods store. Store them in your pantry, and you’ll be enjoying this salad all summer long! Ingredients Dressing ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime Continue reading

Pear and Maple Breakfast Sausage

If you’ve tried my recipe for Braised Pork with Pears and Sherry Vinegar, you know that pears and pork are truly magical together. Savory-and-sweet is a classic combination any time of day, but I think breakfast is my absolutely favorite meal for combining the two. If you’re anything like me when it comes to breakfast, you waffle (HA!) when deciding whether to go the sweet or savory route. Well, now you can have both delightful tastes with my Pear and Maple Breakfast Sausage. These sausages are extremely simple to make, they freeze well, and they cook up like a dream—crispy edges, tender centers, and a burst of juicy, sweet pear in every bite. Try them alongside French toast on a Sunday or with eggs and fresh pear slices for a simple breakfast. Ingredients 1 tablespoon canola oil, plus more for Continue reading

Crispy Pork Cutlets with Fresh Pear Sauce

This recipe was inspired by two classic dishes: Schnitzel, the crispy, thinly pounded cutlets so popular in Germany, and the classic all-American combination of pork, applesauce (or in this case, pear sauce), and sour cream. This recipe makes for a delicious and warming winter dinner, and it’s perfect served with a simple steamed or roasted vegetable – I highly recommend Brussels sprouts. Ingredients Pear Sauce 3 ripe USA Pears, such as Red Bartlett, Anjou, or Comice 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt Pork 4 pork cutlets, 4 – 5 ounces each Salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ cup flour 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup breadcrumbs Equal parts butter and olive oil for frying Directions For the pear sauce: Roughly chop two of the pears and place them into a saucepan over Continue reading