And A Partridge in a Pear TRee

December 15, 2012 2:53 PM

I've been gifted a fruit basket. The problem is while there are lots of fruits I eat, I now find myself with a bunch of fat pears. Because I'm a picky eater, I don't like pears. However, since I'll be attending holiday parties, I figure there are probably some delicious pear recipes-cookies, desserts-that would allow me to share this gift with people who will actually enjoy them.

Part of it is since I don't eat pears, I'd like reliable, tested recipes rather than me just surfing around the web hoping to find something awesome. So lay it on me people. Or just tell me to hand out the pears to random people on the street.

posted by miss-lapin to Food & Drink (29 answers total)

Response by poster: Why is it I can't post a damn ask me without a typo? Edit window please?
posted by miss-lapin at 2:54 PM on December 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Not quite what you asked but depending on what aspect of pears you find offensive you may enjoy them poached. In a bit of red wine and sugar. Poaching changes both taste and texture, in particular they are a lot less 'granular' for want of a better word. I'll leave others to actually answer your question.
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:03 PM on December 15, 2012

If they're Harry and David pears, I say give one a try. I HATE pears. HATE. Except for those. In fact, I need to go to my concierge and pick up a package of them, which I ordered for myself. Harry & David pears are a different thing all together. Also, if they are, take care in recipe choosing in case the insane juicy-ness of them will cause a problem.
posted by atomicstone at 3:08 PM on December 15, 2012 [5 favorites]

Tarte tatin!
posted by runningwithscissors at 3:09 PM on December 15, 2012

We've made Pear Tarte Tatin before and it is very easy and impressive and tasty served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Running with Scissors beat me to it! DOH!
posted by coevals at 3:10 PM on December 15, 2012

Pear tarts are totally easy to make, and don't require a lot of time or ingredients.

If you don't want to make the tart dough, you can cheat and (foodies will hate me for this) use a tube of sugar cookie dough. Par-bake it (about half the time), then layer pears on top, brush melted apricot preserves on top, and finish baking. Delicious.
posted by xingcat at 3:10 PM on December 15, 2012

a college friend of mine used to make chocolate pear tart every fall. people (myself included) went nuts for it. i think the recipe was very close to this one.
posted by guybrush_threepwood at 3:11 PM on December 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

tarte tatin!
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 3:11 PM on December 15, 2012

Pears go great with ham, prosciutto, etc. as appetizers. Here's one example.
posted by trip and a half at 3:11 PM on December 15, 2012

Oddly enough I came in here to say pear tarte tatin too.
posted by kmennie at 3:31 PM on December 15, 2012

I made the pear, cranberry, and gingersnap crumble for a party recently. Very easy and delicious.
posted by Jeanne at 3:36 PM on December 15, 2012

Agree that they are good with ham, prociutto, or pancetta. For a veggie option, my favorite salad on earth is: pears, roasted slice almonds (you can buy them pre-roasted/salted/sliced), and bleu cheese tossed with arugula, plus an easy olive oil/white wine vinegar/honey/S&P dressing. Always a hit at potlucks too.
posted by lovableiago at 3:49 PM on December 15, 2012

Marcella Hazan's Pear Cake is closer to breakfast than dessert, in my opinion, but still delicious. It's a dense and chewy rustic sort of cake. Just pears and clove and enough sweet batter to tie the pears together.
posted by clockwork at 3:53 PM on December 15, 2012 [2 favorites]

Smitten Kitchen has quite a few pear recipes. I can vouch for the pear and almond tart and the pear bread.

I'll vouch double for the pear bread actually. It's awesome.
posted by elsietheeel at 4:21 PM on December 15, 2012

Tarte tatin, yes, but pear and ginger makes for a very good marriage, and you can't go far wrong sweating down peeled, sliced pears with some minced stem ginger into a compôte, which can then be served with ice cream -- or perhaps used as the base layer for a trifle, which is about as seasonal as it gets.
posted by holgate at 4:43 PM on December 15, 2012

I made this pear ginger crumble, which has the added advantage of being gluten-free, if you need to do that. If not, swap out regular flour for quinoa flour in the topping. As it was, I swapped out almond flour. I would also add some grated fresh ginger to punch up the ginger flavor and maybe cardamom and/or ground cloves. It's super-easy.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:06 PM on December 15, 2012

Do you and/or your friends like booze? Because spiced pear vodka is a thing.
posted by specialagentwebb at 5:14 PM on December 15, 2012

I was also going to suggest a vodka infusion. If the pears are fragrant, they'd stand alone well - so spices or vanilla are optional. Just wash, slice and soak in vodka. Depending on how ripe and flavorful the fruit is, you could have a decent infusion in a week. When I make infusions, I use a large canning jar. Leaving some of the fruit in makes for nice presentation, IMO.
posted by quince at 5:36 PM on December 15, 2012

I've had the results of this pear granita recipe. It makes a delicious dessert.

I wish I were in your position! Pears are my favorite fruit. Ship them here!
posted by Fister Roboto at 6:27 PM on December 15, 2012

Smitten Kitchen's vanilla roasted pears have been a huge hit whenever I've made them, and they are really easy.
posted by sepviva at 8:58 PM on December 15, 2012

I just peel, chop, and throw the pear bits into a saucepan, add some sugar (to taste) and simmer. They will release enough juice-you won't have to add any liquid.


The results are yummy on toast or eaten on the side.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 9:11 PM on December 15, 2012

Another pear cake recipe - lovely.

Here is a recipe for poached pears. There are also variations in which you stuff the pears with mascarpone and pistachios.
posted by bunderful at 9:34 PM on December 15, 2012

Pear Clafouti is very tasty and not overly sweet.
posted by JujuB at 10:23 PM on December 15, 2012

Cranberry-pear sauce. Pear-blueberry pie.
posted by fiercekitten at 11:02 PM on December 15, 2012

If these are "good" pears then cooking with them is wasting them, imo. Just slice them (down the length so you get the lovely pear shape) and arrange nicely on a platter with cheese in the middle. The people looking for something snackable besides chips will thank you.
posted by anaelith at 5:07 AM on December 16, 2012 [2 favorites]

Brandy poached pears
posted by The Whelk at 8:20 AM on December 16, 2012 [1 favorite]

Canned pears
posted by leigh1 at 2:31 PM on December 16, 2012

Smitten Kitchen's Peach Shortbread works quite well with pears too.
posted by JiBB at 5:10 PM on December 16, 2012

Not a cookie/dessert, but a app maybe?
Goat cheese sprinkled with thyme, baby spinach (or bibb lettuce), smoked ham with a bit of grainy mustard, and thinly sliced pear - herbed tortilla or my favourite, honey oat bread - makes great finger-wiches. Toast for extra awesome.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 10:32 PM on December 17, 2012