Easy Butter Roasted Pears Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking method for pears? ›

Poached Pears

Keep the liquid at a very low boil and simmer the pears until cooked through, 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the pears. While they are poaching, every so often gently push down the pears to make sure they are submerged in poaching liquid. (The round of paper helps to keep the pears moist and wet.)

If using pears with firm skin like Bosc, peel them. Otherwise, leave the skin on. Cut the pears in half lengthwise, leaving the stems on for visual presentation if desired.

Any pear can be baked, including ones that may seem too hard to eat or cook with. In this recipe, an under-ripe pear is perfect as it softens in the heat of the oven plus a sweet cooking liquid.

Pear Varieties

Bosc and Anjou varieties are tops at holding their shape and texture. In a pinch, Bartletts and other varieties work fine, too. Avoid Comice pears for cooking. Their tender, juicy flesh tends to fall apart when baked whole or used in pies.

As with any fruit, the best way to eat a pear is to eat the whole thing. The skin is where most of the nutrients are, particularly the fiber and antioxidants.

This is known as enzymatic browning. Keep cut fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, and peaches from turning brown by: Coating them with an acidic juice such as lemon, orange, or pineapple juice. Use a commercial anti-darkening preparation with fruits, such as Fruit-Fresh®*, and follow the manufacturer's directions.

If you're using the pears for cooking, underripe pears are actually what you need. They will hold their shape better whether poached, baked, or braised. If the pears you have are soft and almost mushy, don't discard them! They are best for cooking into a pear sauce.

Slice The Pears

Place the pear on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice the pear in half vertically from the stem to the bottom. Next, cut each half in half again vertically to create quarters. Lay the quarters flat side down and angle the knife to cut diagonally to remove the core.

Put the pears into a large saucepan and add the water (1 litre for every kilo of fruit). Bring to the boil, and simmer for 50-60 minutes until the pears are tender. Mash the fruit to extract maximum flavour. If it seems a little too solid, add more water – we want the texture of soft applesauce.

Yes, dogs can eat pears. Pears are a great snack because they're high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. If you're sharing pears with your dog, just be sure to cut the pear flesh into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide.

What is the hard stuff in pears? ›

They are called stone cells. Botanically speaking, stone cells are one variety of a group found in most plants. These cells have hard walls, and they are found in the hard parts of plants, like stems and nutshells. The fruit of pears always has stone cells scattered through it.

Pears are not better than apples. They have similar health benefits, though we know much more about how apples impact health than pears. In fact, research into the health benefits of pears is ongoing. Both apples and pears contain pectin, a fiber that nourishes gut bacteria.

Look to the crispest raw pears to find those that can withstand heat. The popular Bosc pear is the best option. Anjou pears are another top choice and Concorde and French butter pears are also reliable.

Anjou pears are especially great for baking because they can withstand high temperatures. We love using them for pies and tarts.

Poaching. One of the more popular cooking methods for fruits is poaching. Poaching softens and tenderizes fruits and infuses them with additional flavors such as spices or wine. Poached fruits can be served hot or cold and used in tarts or pastries or as an accompaniment to meat or poultry dishes.

For some fruits, poaching is a way to soften them up for dishes where they would otherwise add little or no textural value. Pears are often poached so that they become soft enough to be pureed into a sauce or blended into a soup.

Cover and steam for about 10-12 minutes or until the pears are tender. If you opt for boiling, place the pears in a saucepan and add enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the pears are soft and easily mashed with a fork.

If you're not in a rush, you can simply leave a pear sitting out on the counter at room temperature and it will slowly ripen, usually within four to seven days, according to Edwards. Speed up the process. If you'd like to ripen your pears faster, you can put them in a paper bag with ripe apples and/or bananas.