Pear, Pistachio & Parmesan Pinwheels

You’ll be the host with the most when you present these warm, flaky hors d’oeuvres to guests on New Year’s Eve. Diced USA pears are rolled up in puff pastry, with crunchy pistachios, piquant Parmesan, and a kick of cracked pepper, creating bite-sized bursts of flavor. Deceptively simple to prepare, and sweet and savory at the same time, they make the perfect cocktail accompaniment. 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half a 17.3-ounce package), thawed 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 cup finely diced USA Red Anjou or Bartlett pear (about ½ a large pear) ¼ cup ground pistachios ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper Place the pastry sheet on a clean work surface and roll it out to smooth the seams and create a 10-inch square. Cut the square in half, forming two 10-by-5-inch Continue reading

Pear, Carrot, and Coconut Muffins

Here is a fun fall take on the classic morning glory muffin, a popular recipe published in Gourmet Magazine back in the 1980s. These muffins are chock-full of fruit, vegetables, and nuts, making them hearty and filling, but they retain a soft, light texture, as any great muffin should. They will keep very well in the refrigerator and reheat wonderfully thanks to their high moisture content. If you prefer your muffins warm from the oven, you can even mix up a batch and bake off just a few at a time, saving the remaining batter for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Ingredients 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups finely shredded carrot (about 2 medium carrots) Continue reading