Pears Are Massively Underrated—These Recipes Show Why You Should Cook with Them (2024)

FAQs

What is pears used for in cooking? ›

Pears are a popular choice for pie, bread, and cake, but they are also excellent in salads, soups, and on pizza. Browse over 350 pear recipes. What would you like to cook? Does This Viral Club Soda Hack Really Prevent Fruit from Browning?

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.

Ripe, eating pears need very little cooking – simply poach in a light syrup or fry them in butter.

There are red and green varieties of Anjou, both of which are widely available from early fall through the summer months. As for what to do with 'em, Anjous are all-purpose pears that can be used in pretty much any culinary application: Baking, poaching, roasting, grilling—there's nothing the Anjou can't do.

Taking a page from Korean cooking, Corey Lee of three-Michelin-starred Benu in San Francisco uses Asian pears as a meat tenderizer. "Grated pear is a great way to tenderize meats," says Lee.

Pear has antioxidants that might show a beneficial effect on liver health. In an animal study conducted by Ajilore B et al. 2016, the seed extract of pear fruit showed a decrease in oxidative stress on the liver. These results were due to the phytochemicals, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of pear.

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.)

Pears, especially those with red skin, also contain carotenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. These are plant compounds that offer several health benefits and act as antioxidants.

Pears can be left unpeeled for eating fresh, but be sure to peel them before cooking. Although the peel is edible, some fruits may have tough skins with a slightly bitter flavor that is accentuated when cooked. Prevent premature browning by dipping cut pears in water mixed with a little lemon juice or vinegar.

Eating fruits at night instead of a high-calorie snack like chips, cookies, or ice cream can help keep your calorie intake in check. Fruits like berries, apples, pears, and grapes are low in calories and high in fiber, making them an excellent option for a late-night snack.

Can dogs eat pears? ›

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.

Overripe pears are generally safe to eat, but they won't taste as good raw, and they'll also be super messy to eat with your hands. They can, however, be cooked and added to desserts or other sweet treats. While overripe pears are good to eat, rotten or mouldy pears are not.

Bartlett Pears: Bartlett pears are a classic choice for fresh eating. Look for pears that are yellow or greenish-yellow with a slight blush. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure near the stem when ripe. Comice Pears: Comice pears are exceptionally sweet and buttery, making them perfect for snacking.

Comice. Comice pears were originally cultivated in France. They're known as the sweetest pear variety, and are often the variety shipped in gift boxes. Because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname “the Christmas pear.” Comice pears have light green skin with a blush of pinkish red.

Bartlett pears (also called Williams) have what most people would consider the true “pear flavor.” Both red and green Bartletts are bell-shaped. You can find them in stores from September through the early months of winter.

Anjou pears are especially great for baking because they can withstand high temperatures. We love using them for pies and tarts. Bosc pears are oblong with an elegant elongated neck and long curved stem.

Taste: Aromatic, floral, sweet-tart notes. Juicy, crisp but tender texture with slightly coarse flesh. Uses: Good for baking, poaching and roasting as well as eating fresh. Ripeness: Apply gentle pressure to the stem end, any give means its ripe.

Also, variety is very important to get all the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy. In observance of January as Pear Month, the LSU AgCenter recommends eating pears. That's because they are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C when eaten raw with the skin on.