Baked Pears: A Perfect Fall Treat

This recipe was shared as part of the virtual event, A New Season for Cancer Prevention. 

This fall dish can be used as the perfect ending to a savory meal or baked up as a special evening treat. Your kitchen will smell amazing as the scent of fall fills the air during the baking process. And who doesn’t appreciate a one-dish creation that comes together in just 30 minutes!

Pears are a favorite of many but may be new to some. They are a good source of fiber and B-vitamins. Fiber is an essential nutrient for our well-being and may play a role in cancer prevention. We chose Bartlett pears for this recipe, but any type pear may be used. Leaving the stems attached adds an extra layer of elegance for the final presentation. And what more do we need to say about the fuss-free sauce that’s perfect for drizzling?  Enjoy!

Preparation time:  5 minutes 
Adapted from Minimalist Baker

INGREDIENTS

• 4 small to medium pears, ripe
• 2 teaspoon melted coconut oil (can omit if oil-free)
• 2 Tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tablespoon lemon juice

Makes 4 servings (1 pear per serving) or 8 servings (½ pear per serving)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and set out a 9x13-inch baking dish
2. Halve pears and remove core with a small spoon. Leave stem (optional). Place cut-side up in baking dish.
3. Combine melted oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and top pears evenly with mixture.
4. Flip pears cut-side down and bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until tender. A knife inserted should easily slide out—bake longer as needed. 
5. Remove from oven, flip pears cut-side up, and bake for an additional 5 minutes to slightly caramelize the tops. Drizzle the pan sauce over the pears for added flavor—do this when it’s still warm otherwise the sauce hardens. 
6. Best when fresh, though leftovers keep up to 2-3 days covered in the refrigerator. Not freezer friendly.

Nutritional Information
Per 1 whole pear serving: 147 calories; 2.7g total fat (2.3 saturated); 5mg sodium; 0.0mg cholesterol; 32.5g carbohydrate; 5.4g fiber; 22.4g sugars; 0.7g protein; 228mg potassium.