Simple Pear (or Apple) Dessert
Just in case you're on the "no more desserts until Valentine's Day" kick, I thought I'd give you a recipe that will get your through your deprivation.
No dessert, in my book, means no fun. Dessert doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming, or fattening. It should be a tiny bit of sweet deliciousness at the end of a meal. Those eight dollar pieces of Death By Mediocrity that you succumb to in a restaurant after you're already stuffed have no business calling themselves dessert.
The best fruits right now are pears and apples, along with citrus fruit. Find yourself some nice crisp Bosc or D'Anjou pears, or lovely Golden Delicious or Gala apples, and make a quick batch of this treat. Your family will love you for it, and you'll feel like you've indulged without compromising your convictions.
Mr. Sassy and the kids ate this so fast I could not find the camera. Sorry. It's kinda pretty, but super delicious.
Pears in Red Wine
(this recipe serves 6)
3 firm pears, such as D'Anjou or Bosc, or apples
3 tablespoons butter, divided
generous sprinkling of cinnamon sugar
1/2 cup sweet or light red wine
pinch of salt
Slice each pear into eighths. In a large skillet (cast iron!), melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Arrange pear slices in a circle in the pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and the pinch of salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add red wine and simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce begins to get syrupy and the pears are tender. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter in small dots around the pan, let it melt into the sauce, and spoon the sauce over the pears.
Serve a few slices on a small plate with the sauce spooned over it. If you feel the need, you could add a dollop of sour cream, whipped cream, or small scoop of vanilla ice cream. But trust me, it doesn't need such embellishment.
No dessert, in my book, means no fun. Dessert doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming, or fattening. It should be a tiny bit of sweet deliciousness at the end of a meal. Those eight dollar pieces of Death By Mediocrity that you succumb to in a restaurant after you're already stuffed have no business calling themselves dessert.
The best fruits right now are pears and apples, along with citrus fruit. Find yourself some nice crisp Bosc or D'Anjou pears, or lovely Golden Delicious or Gala apples, and make a quick batch of this treat. Your family will love you for it, and you'll feel like you've indulged without compromising your convictions.
Mr. Sassy and the kids ate this so fast I could not find the camera. Sorry. It's kinda pretty, but super delicious.
Pears in Red Wine
(this recipe serves 6)
3 firm pears, such as D'Anjou or Bosc, or apples
3 tablespoons butter, divided
generous sprinkling of cinnamon sugar
1/2 cup sweet or light red wine
pinch of salt
Slice each pear into eighths. In a large skillet (cast iron!), melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Arrange pear slices in a circle in the pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and the pinch of salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add red wine and simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce begins to get syrupy and the pears are tender. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter in small dots around the pan, let it melt into the sauce, and spoon the sauce over the pears.
Serve a few slices on a small plate with the sauce spooned over it. If you feel the need, you could add a dollop of sour cream, whipped cream, or small scoop of vanilla ice cream. But trust me, it doesn't need such embellishment.