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Indulging my interest in food and flavor, I love to write about cooking, gardening and life's bounty. My new book - "Discover Cooking with Lavender"- is now available

Monday, March 20, 2006


PEARS PAIR PERFECTLY WITH LAVENDER

In the mood for a fast and delicious dessert? Looking for something fat-free? Then you must try this one. I made it in less than 15 minutes. My kitchen is filled with the most wonderful fruity, floral fragrance. Trust me whether you are preparing a simple family meal or a feast with company, this dessert will be enjoyed by everyone.


Lavender Poached Pears

Pears partner exquisitely with lavender. These pears remind me of the home-canned pears my mother made in the summer and served us for dessert in the middle of winter. The texture is soft and the flavor is a gentle reminder of summer.

3 fresh Bosc or Bartlett Pears
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons lavender buds
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

Wash pears and peel the skin off completely. Cut the pears in half, removing the core.
Sprinkle the pears with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown.
Put the lavender buds in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie up with kitchen twine.
Place the pears in a micro-wave safe dish; add sugar, water and the bundle of lavender.
Cover the dish and cook in microwave for a total of seven minutes or until the pears are easily probed with a fork. After the first three minutes, rotate the dish and rearrange the pears.
If you prefer to poach the pears in your oven, you can place the pears in an oven-proof dish, cover and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 30 minutes.
Remove the bundle of lavender and add the lemon zest. Spoon the syrup over the pears, cover the dish and let the pears stand at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serving suggestions: This makes a simple fat-free dessert or can be served at breakfast with yogurt. My favorite way to serve this is as dessert sprinkled with a tiny amount of best quality dark chocolate and garnished with a sprig of fresh lavender.

6 Servings

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