Category Archives: Food and Drink Recipes

Grill Master

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

To me, summer means sunshine, farmers’ markets and grilling. I personally love the flavors of grilled foods and regularly grill veggies as a side or base for meals. One of the greatest challenges I have faced in my years of counseling and teaching is that people have been trained to think they don’t like fruit and/or vegetables, and they don’t venture outside the norm for ingredients or culinary techniques. The remedy is simply to get a little creative in the kitchen – or backyard – and be okay with failing once in a while. I base most of my meals on produce, and in the summer that means adding a treat of grilled fruit at the end! Grilling is probably one of the simplest culinary techniques for fruit and veggies. In the beginning, it’s a good idea to stay close Continue reading →

Pear and Fresh Vegetable Summer Rolls

Hilary By on

These colorful and refreshing summer rolls aren’t just beautiful, they are absolutely delicious! You can use any variety of vegetables and herbs to fill the rolls, not just those I’ve mentioned here. Use firm pears for filling the rolls – they add just the right amount of sweetness along with a unique crunch. It takes a little practice to get the hang of working with the spring roll skins, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll be wanting to make fresh rolls all summer long. Ingredients: several handfuls spinach leaves, stems trimmed half an English cucumber, cut into long, thin strips 1 large carrot, grated or cut into a fine julienne 1 sweet pepper, cut into long thin strips 2 firm USA pears, such as Anjou, sliced julienne style several sprigs fresh basil 12 spring roll skins your favorite peanut Continue reading →

Thai-Inspired Chicken and Pear “Noodle” Salad

Hilary By on

This fresh and fun recipe isn’t just chock-full of vegetables, it’s chock-full of delicious USA Pears! Firm, fiber-rich Anjou pears stand in for noodles in this salad, and the “noodles” couldn’t be more simple to make using a spiral vegetable slicer. Start by shredding leftover chicken (or pick up a rotisserie chicken). Next, shake together the Asian lime dressing, slice the veggies for the salad, and finally, toss it all together with the pear “noodles”. Top the salad with toasted, chopped peanuts and get ready to fall in love! Thai-Inspired Chicken and Pear “Noodle” Salad For the Asian Lime Dressing: ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons water 1 – 2 teaspoons fish sauce, according to your taste Directions: Combine the lime juice and honey in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously Continue reading →

Spring Tartine with Shaved Pears, Fromage Blanc, and Pea Shoots

Hilary By on

Spring is in the air, and this easy and elegant tartine features some of the season’s finest flavors. Enjoy this open-faced sandwich as a meal in itself, or make miniature versions using your favorite baguette. Simply toast the bread, spread with tangy fromage blanc, and top with delicate spring pea shoots and thinly shaved USA Pears gathered into pretty curls. Spring Tartine with Shaved Pears, Fromage Blanc, and Pea Shoots Ingredients 4 slices of your favorite artisanal bread, about ¾ inch thick 8 ounces fromage blanc goat cheese (or other spreadable goat cheese) 1 cup (gently packed) pea shoots or other delicate spring greens 2 firm USA Pears, such as Bosc or Anjou, cut from the core and very thinly sliced on a mandoline olive oil, for drizzling sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions Toast the bread until Continue reading →

Pear, Buckwheat, and Gouda Scones with Fig Jam

Hilary By on

Do you have company coming for Easter brunch? Alongside the ham and asparagus, serve these delightfully unique savory scones. Honey-sweet pears, nutty buckwheat, and tangy Gouda cheese are a match made in heaven. Offer the scones with a side of fig jam and watch how quickly they disappear. Pear, Buckwheat, and Gouda Scones with Fig Jam Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour ¾ cup buckwheat flour ¼ cup sugar ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 6 ounces firm, aged gouda cheese, grated 2 ripe USA Pears, such as Red Anjou or Bosc, small dice ¾ cup buttermilk (plus 2 tablespoons more if necessary) Fig jam, for serving Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a food processor, combine the flours, sugar, nutmeg, baking powder, Continue reading →

Three Different Dips for Fresh Pears

Hilary By on

Here is a fun and simple way to serve fresh USA Pears as a snack or appetizer. I’ve taken already fiber-rich pears and added ingredients containing protein, calcium, and antioxidants. Whip up these three dips and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Simply pull them out to soften slightly before the kids get home from school or while waiting for guests to arrive. All that’s left to do is slice up a few of your favorite USA Pears for dipping! Three Different Dips for Fresh Pears Ingredients ¼ cup of your favorite nut butter 2 tablespoons dried cherries, finely chopped 4 oz. low-fat cream cheese, softened ⅛ – ¼ tsp. almond extract 3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted and chopped 1 (6 ounce) container plain or vanilla flavored Greek yogurt 8 – 10 fresh raspberries cinnamon, for Continue reading →

Crunchy Vegetable and Pear Salad

Hilary By on

Did you know that many varieties of USA Pears are delicious when not yet ripe? Red and Green Anjou Pears are a perfect example. Though they might not seem ready to eat, they are already full of juicy pear flavor with a great, lightly crunchy texture. That makes unripe Anjous the perfect addition to salads and slaws. This tasty salad is full of crisp, colorful vegetables and sweet Red Anjou Pears. Toss it with my almond butter-based dressing (sweetened with dates instead of refined sugar), and enjoy it as a quick lunch or an easy dinner side. Crunchy Vegetable and Pear Salad Ingredients For the Almond Butter – Date Dressing: 3 tablespoons unsalted almond butter 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 2 Medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped ½ cup water ½ teaspoon sea salt Directions: Combine all of the ingredients Continue reading →

Pear Compote with Earl Grey & Vanilla

Hilary By on

This super simple compote is a beautiful and delicious way to preserve some of fall’s fading flavors. You’ll make a simple infusion which combines the unique flavor of Earl Grey tea with vanilla and orange, and then simply stir in sugar and fresh pears. Serve this compote over yogurt or ricotta for a delightful breakfast or snack, spoon it over vanilla ice cream, or try it atop crostinis spread with your favorite soft cheese. Pear Compote with Earl Grey & Vanilla Ingredients 1 cup boiling water 2 Earl Grey tea bags 1 orange 1 tablespoon vanilla paste ¾ cup sugar 3 firm ripe USA Pears, such as Comice or Red Anjou, small dice Directions Place the tea bags into the cup of boiling water and steep for 2 to 3 minutes to make a very strong tea. Remove the teabags Continue reading →

Six Simple Habits for the New Year

Amy Kweller MS, RD By on

A new year brings many things, a fresh start, a year of possibilities, and broken resolutions… We often set lofty goals and envision working out every day looking cute in our gym outfits, not the sweaty messes we really are. Visions are easy, reality is usually harder. Picking a healthy habit to work toward, rather than a resolution, might be simpler and more realistic. Give it a shot! 1. Make a plan. Whether you want to exercise more or lose fifty pounds, have a plan in place. Make it simple, such as walking 20 minutes twice a week or prepping meals on Sundays. Simple is easier to stick to and gives your schedule more flexibility. 2. Add a fruit or veggie. It’s not news that Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found Continue reading →

Sweet Vermouth Poached Pears

Hilary By on

Sweet vermouth has really made a comeback thanks to the craft cocktail movement, and I am so glad it did. Without it, I’d have never tried a Manhattan and noticed the distinct and wonderful flavors that a good vermouth can lend, not to mention that I’d have never come up with the idea for this unique recipe. Pick up a bottle for making these poached pears and pour yourself a little over an ice cube to enjoy while you cook. You won’t be sorry. Sweet Vermouth Poached Pears Ingredients 3 cups good quality sweet vermouth, such as Carpano Antica 1 cup water 2 tablespoons honey 1 orange, peel only (use a vegetable peeler to cut several thin strips) 2 cinnamon sticks 6 whole cloves 3 firm USA Pears, such as Bosc Greek yogurt, for serving Directions In a medium saucepan, Continue reading →