5 Ways to Enjoy Pears

Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine

April Daniels Hussar,SELF magazine

There's a sweet treat waiting for you in orchards, farmers' markets and grocery stores all over the country this month that's delicious on its own, may help you lose weight and works in a ton of either savory or sweet dishes. So take a break from your everyday apples-and pick up some pears instead.

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Pears pack in a good dose of fiber (about 5.5 g per medium-sized fruit!), leaving you feeling fuller for longer after eating, say SELF contributing editors Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh, registered dietitians and co-founders of C&J Nutrition. "Plus, part of that fiber is soluble fiber, the kind that can help keep your cholesterol down and your heart healthy," they add. Pears are also good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and phytonutrients that protect against aging and disease.

Pears can be eaten straight off the tree, but the real fun begins when they're grilled, poached, roasted, and sliced and diced into sweet and savory dishes. Clark and Jarosh gave us a few of their favorite ways to use them as a part of your next meal:

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1. Grilled in a salad: Slice pears down the middle, brush halves with a light coat of oil or butter, and grill for 5 minutes or until soft. Serve over arugula, or sliced fennel, or watercress with walnuts and goat or blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing.

2. In stuffing: Jazz up your traditional turkey dressing by added chopped pears, or try this scrumptious pear, mushroom and pomegranate stuffing recipe.

3. Poached: Poach pears (halved, whole, or quartered) in apple or pomegranate juice or tea with spices like ginger, vanilla, and anise. Serve over light vanilla ice cream.

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4. In a breakfast crisp: Cut a pear into thin slices and set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 3 tbsp rolled oats, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp whole wheat flour, 1 tsp butter and 1/8 tsp cinnamon. Toss and coat pear slices. Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking time. Top with 1/4 cup non-fat plain yogurt, 1 tbsp chopped walnuts and 1 tsp maple syrup. It's breakfast that seriously tastes like dessert.

5. For dessert: Try this recipe for yummy, healthy and easy-to-make mini pear and cranberry cobblers, or this beautiful pear and almond galette.

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