DIY Network

Storing and Serving Kelly Givens shares storage tips and some delicious pear recipes. From "Fresh From the Orchard" episode DFFO-109

Kelly Givens shares tips on storing Asian pears and then shows how to make a tasty dessert by scooping out the core of a pear to make an edible bowl (figure A). Filled with your favorite low-fat ice cream or sherbet, the pear bowl is festive, delicious and healthful (figure B)!

Figure A

Figure B

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Storage

One of the most remarkable things about Asian pears is how well they store. Asian pears can easily be kept in a bowl on your countertop for two to three weeks (figure C). For longer-term storage, put pears in the refrigerator (figure D), where they will stay fresh for three to four months.

Figure C

Figure D

	For added crunch (and a refreshing sweetness), add thin slices of pear to a sandwich!
	Mountaintop Pear Bowl

Enjoying Pears and Pear Recipes

Asian pears are low in fat and calories but high in vitamins, especially vitamin C. If you're eating them fresh, you can leave the skin on or peel it off; but remember, if you remove the skin, you'll be peeling away a lot of the fiber too.

Below are several pear recipes. You can find more at www.FoodNetwork.com.

Mountaintop Pear Bowls

Recipe courtesy of the Pear Bureau Northwest (www.usapears.com).

1 medium Asian pear, cored and halved
2 medium scoops fruit-flavored sherbet

Scoop out center of each pear half, leaving at least 1/2" on all sides. Fill centers with medium scoops of sherbet.

Sweet and Sour Pear Accompaniment
Recipe courtesy of the Pear Bureau Northwest (www.usapears.com).

2 Asian pears, halved, cored and sliced crosswise
Sweet and Sour Marinade (see recipe below)
1 cucumber
1/2 medium red onion, sliced and separated into rings
1/3 c. sliced water chestnuts
Pepper (optional)

Marinate pears in Sweet and Sour Marinade for at least one hour. Drain. Pare cucumbers vertically, leaving strips of peel to give striped effect; halve, seed and slice crosswise. Toss pears with cucumber, onion and water chestnuts. Add pepper to taste.

Sweet and Sour Marinade

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
dash bottled hot pepper sauce.

Combine all ingredients. Makes about 1/3 cup.

Serving tip: Serve with chicken or pork.