Juice Simmered Pears

pears

What You Need:

6 C of water
1 C of sugar
6 firm pears, peeled, cored and cut in half
1 lemon rind strip
3 tbsp pear juice

How to Make It:

Place a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the water and sugar to the pan and simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves.
Place the pears into the water and return to a simmer.
Cook the pears for 25 minutes at a simmer or until the pears are tender.
Place the pears into a serving bowl, cover and chill until ready to serve.
Over high heat bring the pear cooking liquid to a boil.
Cook the juice for 20 minutes or until the juice is reduced to 1 C and resembles syrup.
Strain the juice through a sieve, cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Pour the chilled juice over the pears just before serving.

Makes 6 servings

This is a simple but elegant way to serve a fruit side dish. Everyone will love it and it gives you at least 1 serving of fruit in your daily diet. If you are serving to adults you may use pear flavored liqueur or brandy instead of the pear juice. Try making this recipe using other fruits such as apples, peaches or even plums.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Cooling Time: approximately 30 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 237; Fat 0g; Saturated Fat 0g; Carbohydrates 68g; Protein 0g; Fiber 2g;
Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 2mg

Fruited Beef Pot Roast

roast

roastWhat You Need:

1 (17 oz.) pkg. refrigerated cooked beef roast with juice
1 T of butter
2 T shallots, minced
2 T of tarragon vinegar
1 C fresh apple wedges
1 C fresh peach wedges

How to Make It:

Reserve the juice from the roast in a mixing bowl.
Place the butter into a skillet over medium heat.
When the butter has melted stir in the shallots and cook for 1 minute.
Reduce the heat to low and add the roast to the skillet.
Cover and cook the roast for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Add the vinegar to the reserved roast juice and whisk to combine.
Pour the mixture over the meat.
Place the apple and peaches along the sides of the meat in the skillet.
Cover and cook for 2 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

This throw it together pot roast is well worth the short time it takes to fix. Mix and match your fruits such as pears and plums to make this quick meal a family favorite.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 13 minutes
Total Time: approximately 28 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 230; Fat 8g; Saturated Fat 3g; Carbohydrates 15g; Fiber 2g;
Protein 23g; Cholesterol 72 mg; Sodium 386 mg

Grilled Mixed Fruit Compote

plums

plumsWhat You Need:

4 plums, sliced thin
2 nectarines, sliced thin
1 C of fresh blackberries
1/4 C orange juice
1 tbsp sugar

How to Make It:

The grill is set for low temperature.
Divide the fruit between 2 large pieces of foil placing it in the middle of each piece.
1/8 C of the orange juice is drizzled over each packet of fruit.
Seal the fruit into the packets tightly so the juice does not run out.
Put the packets on the grill for 18 minutes or until the fruit has softened, turning once.
Open the packets carefully over a bowl so the syrup will drain in the bowl.
Place the fruit into the bowl, sprinkle with the sugar and toss gently.

Sparkler Fruit Salad

sparkling-fruit

sparkling-fruitWhat You Need:

1 C of blueberries
1 C of plums, sliced
1 C pitted cherries, sliced
1 C cantaloupe, chopped
1 C strawberries, sliced
1 C peaches, sliced
1 C of small green grapes
1 C of raspberries
1/4 C of lime juice
2 tbsp of honey
1 tsp grated lime peel
1 C lemon lime flavored sparkling water, chilled
Mint sprigs

How to Make It:

Lay the blueberries into the bottom of a 2 quart glass bowl.
Layer the plums then cherries over the blueberries.
Add the cantaloupe then the sliced strawberries and peaches.
Sprinkle the grapes then the raspberries over the top.
Whisk the lime juice and honey together in a mixing bowl.
Fold in the lime peel.
Pour the sparkling water into the mixture and whisk until blended in well.
Pour the sauce over the top of the fruit and allow it run through all the layers of fruit.
Add the mint sprigs for garnish.

Makes 8 servings

Try any combination of fruit in this refreshing salad. Watermelon, honeydew, nectarines, lemons and limes will blend in well. A lemon based sauce can also be used in place of the lime sauce by substituting lemon juice and lemon peel.