Minted Pears

Total Time Prep: 20 min. + chilling
Yield 2-3 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
My grandmother would use food coloring to make red and green pears only at Christmastime, and I enjoy carrying on her tradition. When I prepare this for a salad, I fill the centers with fresh fruit, fruit cocktail or cottage cheese. As a dessert, there are more options...a dab of whipping cream with a cherry on top, a drizzle of chocolate on top of the whipped cream or a scoop of sherbet in a contrasting color. -Mary Selner, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 3 medium ripe pears
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 drops green food coloring
  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
  • Fresh mint sprigs

Directions

  1. Peel pears and cut in half lengthwise; remove cores. In a large skillet, bring sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat; add food coloring and extract. Carefully place pears in syrup. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until tender.
  2. Place pears in a deep bowl; pour syrup over pears. Make sure pears are completely covered in the syrup to prevent browning. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until serving. Garnish with fresh mint.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 357 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 92g carbohydrate (82g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein.

My grandmother would use food coloring to make red and green pears only at Christmastime, and I enjoy carrying on her tradition. When I prepare this for a salad, I fill the centers with fresh fruit, fruit cocktail or cottage cheese. As a dessert, there are more options...a dab of whipping cream with a cherry on top, a drizzle of chocolate on top of the whipped cream or a scoop of sherbet in a contrasting color. -Mary Selner, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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