Pears

[MaryG]

Our little pear is bending under the weight of a huge crop this year. It's a grafted tree with 4 types on it but just 3 are fruiting for us now. One type didn't have any blossoms in the spring but that's OK - 3 types of pear on one tree isn't anything to complain about.

The two types of green/yellow pears are ripening first, I think they're Bartlet and Anjou (SP?) and the third type is the brown winter pear. We'll be canning the winter pears because they're best for that but just eating the other types raw. Unless I can think of some special way to cook them.

I made a pear pie one year and the family hated it so that's out.

[grindle]

how about poached pears in red wine :mellow:

[MaryG]

Ah - I've heard that's delicious but unfortunately neither Jim nor I can have red wine. It's bad for gout, you know he has that and I had an attack once years ago and NEVER NEVER want that to happen again. It's too bad because I used to really love rich red wine.

[grindle]

Oh sorry Mary I forgot about that ^_^

[donybee]

I've had gout for years and my bugaboo is Scallops, Red wine never bothered me and I still drink beer. I still keep the Alapurinol (sp?) handy just in case. I love pears just off the tree when their really ripe. I can remember eating Sickle pears when I was a kid. Oh!! what a long time ago. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[HarleyGal]

Mmmm! Dreaming of tree ripened d'anjou pears!! :blink: I can feel the juice dripping off my chin now!! :D

If you see someone grazing on your pear tree, just ignore it!! ;) :lol:

[mla2ofus]

Mary, have you ever made pear butter? I tried it one year and everyone loved it. You can also make spiced pears like you would with peaches.

[Lesley Jay]

What about pear chutney ? I could post you a recipe. My neighbour poaches pears off my tree in lemonade. I have never tried it but it sounds nice and children could eat it too.

[bjmots]

I make pear honey with the bartletts off my mom and dad's tree. I can send the receipe if you want.

[MaryG]

Thanks everybody for the good ideas. Yes please, I'd love any recipes you'd care to PM me.

Harley - eat as many as you want girl!

[MrSeedy]

I don't have any recipes for you , but congrats with your success. I found several years ago that the only dependable fruit in my local supermarkets this time of the year is the pears, since every thing else they sell is either "old" or picked too green, and I've often had to "pitch" at least half the peaches and nectarines I buy, though the pears are always good and seem to ripen quickly even when they're quite green , and do maintain good flavour!! I guess there is such a thing as "Pear Wine or Pear Brandy" , so how bout that??

[terese]

Here's a dessert recipe from a magazine i picked up. It looks yummy.

Pears Poached in Earl Grey Tea with Dried Fruit

2 cups water
2 Earl Grey tea bags
1/2 cup sugar
2 large firm but ripe pears (about 12 ounces), peeled, halved lengthwise, cored
8 dried apricot halves
4 whole cloves
1/4 cup dried tart cherries

Bring 2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add tea bags. Remove from heat. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. Add sugar to tea and stir over medium heat until dissolved.

Add pears, apricots, and cloves. Cover and simmer until pears are just tender, about 5 minutes. Add cherries and simmer 1 minute.

Using slotted spoon, transfer pears, apricots, and cherries to bowl.

Boil syrup in saucepan until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Pour syrup over fruit. Chill until cold, about 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.)

Divide fruit and syrup among 4 bowls and serve.

[terese]

Ooo...i just checked out epicurious and they've got that recipe online..and it got a 4 fork rating. :blink: Plenty of pear recipes on there for you to pick from.

[decompost]

:P oooooo that looks soooo yummy ~ i don't grow pears, but i think i'll buy some to try that!!! :blink:

[MaryG]

Terese - that DOES look good and I happen to have Earl Gray tea here. All I have to do is put dried apricots and cherries to my shopping list. I'll let you know when I make it.

[terese]

Please do let me know how it work out Mary. :wub: