15 Recipes for Perfectly Sweet In-Season Pears
Though apples get a lot of attention in the fall here in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason, we can't forget about the peak season pear!
Fresh, local pears are a far cry from the canned, syrupy stuff found in cans, and they add the perfect hint of sweet to salad and meat, and pair particularly well with cheese and crackers.
After you get the chance to snack on them out of hand, try one of these pear recipes to get yourself in the mood for fall food.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Braised Apricot Chicken with Honey-Glazed Pears
Here's a chicken dish that will help us all usher in the changing of the seasons.
With a touch of cinnamon and ginger, this chicken is braised with apricot to give the dish a sweet and savory flavor.
And honey-glazed pears are the perfect cherry on top!
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces, bone-in, skin-on
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups diced yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pears, cored and sliced lengthwise into eighths
2 tablespoons honey
Directions
In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, coriander, salt and pepper until well mixed. Rub the chicken pieces with the spice mix and refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking.
In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces in the pot and brown on each side (letting larger pieces, like breasts, cook a couple minutes longer than the other pieces). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add the onion to the same pot and sauté for 5 minutes until it begins to soften, then add the apricots and chicken broth and stir well. Return the chicken pieces to the pot, then cover and simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes until thoroughly cooked (larger breasts may require some extra cooking time).
Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pear slices and the honey to the melted butter. Sauté the pears, stirring frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes until they become slightly softened and the honey has thickened and glazed the pears.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Gorgonzola Stuffed Pears
Sweet pears and salty, rich gorgonzola cheese balance one another out quite delightfully in this simple, yet delectable, stuffed pear recipe.
Ingredients
3 ripe pears, cut in half lengthwise and cored
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
4 ounces mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped
3 tablespoons pecans, toasted and chopped
Directions
Preheat broiler. In the microwave or on the stovetop, heat the honey and balsamic vinegar and stir until combined. Cut each pear in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds using a melon baller or small spoon.
Place pears on a sheet pan, cut side up, and brush with the honey-balsamic glaze (reserve any remaining glaze for drizzling on the pears when finished).
In a mixing bowl, blend the Gorgonzola, mascarpone, cranberries, and pecans. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each pear half. Broil the pears for about 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Drizzle with the remaining honey-balsamic glaze and serve.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Roasted Pears and Carrots
Here's a sweet and simple side dish that would pair well with roasted pork.
Ingredients
4 carrots, peeled (optional), halved, and cut into sticks
2 pears, halved, cored, and cut into small wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper, more to taste if desired
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400˚F.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place pears and carrots on baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil and a splash or two of balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat thoroughly. Spread evenly into a single layer on baking sheet.
Roast in oven until carrots are still firm and pears are tender about 20 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Pear and Blue Cheese Flatbread
Here's another example of sweet pears and salty cheese playing their part in a delectable balancing act.
Serve this flatbread as a quick and easy appetizer or on the side with a bowl of seasonal soup.
Ingredients
4 small flatbreads or 2 lavash, cut in quarters or halves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pear, cored and thinly sliced
8 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts
2 cups arugula, washed
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Black pepper
Directions
Heat the oven to 450°F. Place the flatbread or lavash pieces on a large sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Spread the pear slices evenly on top, sprinkle with blue cheese, sage and walnuts. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven.
While the flatbreads are baking, toss the arugula with the balsamic vinegar. Top the hot flatbreads with the dressed greens, sprinkle with black pepper and serve.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Poached Pears
Looking for a simple and super elegant way to prepare your pears for dessert? Poach them!
Ingredients
6 firm pears (not quite ripe),
peeled with stems on
3 cups red wine
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
1 star anise
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
Choose a cooking pot that will hold the pears snugly. Place red wine, water, and sugar in the pot. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot; add the pods along with star anise, honey, and lemon juice.
Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved.
Add the peeled pears, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until pears are tender.
Remove the pears and continue simmering the liquid until it becomes thick and syrupy. Use this syrup to glaze the pears before serving.
Recipe and photo adapted from Co+op
Rustic Pear Galette with Walnut Crust
It's against our own rules to put together a fruit recipe round-up without including a galette!
In this recipe, semi-ripe pears are combined with vanilla, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon to create a simple filling that allows the fruit to shine.
Walnuts add an extra crunch and nuttiness to the crust.
Pear Salad with Gorgonzola and Candied Walnuts
A little salty, a little sweet, and full of crunchy texture, this chopped salad features a homemade dijon vinaigrette that brings the whole recipe together.
Of course, you can customize this salad in a number of ways, but the addition of bacon and pomegranates would add a delightful flavor and texture.
Sautéed Pears with Toasted Almonds and Dried Cherries
Here's another simple way to prepare your pears for dessert.
Pears are sautéed with butter until browned and combined with crunchy almond slivers and tart dried cherries.
Serve your pears on top of ice cream, or top them off with crème fraiche.
Caramelized Pear and Hazelnut Crumble Tart
Ooey gooey caramelized pears are combined with a crunchy hazelnut crust to create this decadent fall dessert.
Serve your tart with ice cream, or keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Potato-Pear Latkes
Here's a savory pear recipe that's perfect for the holidays or just a weeknight dinner.
Traditionally, latkes don't include pears, but they're often served with applesauce for a sweet touch.
Add applesauce to the top for a little extra sweetness or sour cream for a savory addition.
Quick and Healthy Pear and Fennel Salad with Collards
Slightly bitter fennel and delicate pear are combined to create this unique, aromatic salad.
A simple citrus vinaigrette highlights the rich flavors of this dish while adding a bright flavor.
Pair this simple salad with grilled chicken or a pork roast.
Toasted Farro with Pear, Hazelnuts and Arugula
Here's another pear salad that's a total departure from the previous recipe!
Farro adds extra protein and texture to this slightly sweet salad, while hazelnuts add a necessary crunch.
Top it all off with a healthy serving of romano cheese for a very necessary hint of salt.
Boozy Stovetop Pears with Yogurt
Here's yet another simple pear dessert recipe that includes a boozy touch of amaretto and pear brandy.
Yogurt adds a tangy flavor to contrast with the sweet pears, while a topping of crushed cookies gives the dessert a nice crunch.
Crispy Prosciutto Baked Brie Bites with Honey Pears + Walnuts
Brie cheese is so wonderful because it goes with basically any fruit or spread. It may be the most underrated cheese!
In this fancy appetizer, phyllo dough and Proscuitto are formed into makeshift "cups" and stuffed with brie and honey-caramelized pears before being topped with a crunchy, buttery, walnut-oat crumble.
Serve these at your next happy hour or special dinner.
Roasted Pear-Butternut Soup with Crumbled Stilton
And since we're moving towards fall, we had to include a warming soup recipe!
In this soup, roasted pears are combined with seasonally-appropriate butternut squash and pureed to perfection.
Pair your soup with crusty bread and a healthy serving of crumbled blue cheese.