Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are stewed pears good for you? ›

In winter I am usually using apples, quinces and pears; during summer, more apples, stone fruits, and rhubarb. Stewed fruits are very health giving due to the soluble gel like fibre component (the mushy bits) for gut and bowel health. They encourages growth of healthy bacteria, and enables regular bowel movements.

Poached Pears

Warm the liquid to dissolve the sugar, then bring to the boil. Add a vanilla pod, then slide in the pears, whole or sliced, adding any dribbles of lemon juice. Let them simmer gently for 5–10 minutes. Lift them out and place in a serving dish.

You'll want to choose pears that hold together well when making poached, baked, or grilled pears. 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.

Stewed pears can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure they're completely cooled and freeze in portions in the freezer safe container. Defrost in the fridge overnight and serve cold or gently warmed. Depending how soft they were before freezing, defrosted stewed pears might get a bit mushy upon defrosting.

Potential Uses of pear for the liver health

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.

Apples and pears have equal amounts of minerals potassium, phosphorous and sodium, and vitamins C and B2. Pears contain more iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamins B3 and K than apples, while apples are richer in vitamins A, E and B1.

No need to peel, just slice pears in half and take out the core with a knife or melon baller. This fun fruit is high in fiber – which helps keep you full – and potassium, a powerful player in hydration, muscle and nerve functioning and regulating blood pressure.

During poaching, the pear should be mostly submerged in liquid. If too much liquid boils away, you'll need to add more. The pear is done when it is soft and a knife can easily pierce all the way through. Depending on the size of the pear, this could take 16 to 18 minutes.

With so many varieties available on the market, it can be tough to choose which pears work best for baking. We recommend using Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears. These varieties have the highest volume and are widely available in grocery stores year-round.

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.

How do you keep cooked pears from turning brown? ›

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.

Both cooked and raw pears are healthy, and can have a positive impact as part of a balanced diet. But when pears are cooked, something magical happens, and release extra pectin – a special form of fibre.

It's up to you. Just keep in mind that the amount of fiber in a pear doubles when you leave the peel on—the peel houses most of the fruit's beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. If you're making a smoothie or puree, you can freeze pears with the peel on—it won't detract from the texture or appearance.

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.

We also know that boiling fruit, such as one might do for canning or making pear sauce as you describe, accelerates the the loss of many vitamins. As much as one-half to one-third of vitamins A and C, thiamine and riboflavin are lost in cooking.

Eat pears whole or cut into quarters. If desired, remove the core. The skin is edible and a great source of fiber. To keep sliced pears from browning, briefly soak them in 1 quart of water + 3 tablespoons lemon juice.

Bananas have a 1:1 ratio of glucose to fructose while pears have twice as much fructose as glucose. Sports drinks have a sugar profile similar to bananas, but in a 2012 study Gillit and Nieman showed that bananas are not only an effective alternative to sports drinks but also a healthier option.