3 Perfect Pear Recipes That Feature Your Favorite Fall Fruit

You already know how much I love apples. But do you know what else I can’t get enough of during the fall season? Pears! Pears are such an amazing fruit and when it comes to cooking and baking– just like apples, only with that extra je ne sais quoi… That’s right, I’m waxing poetic about pears.

Here are a couple of my favorite pear creations that will fill the kitchen with the smell of pure joy:

Sweet and Savory Pear Tart

Prep: 45 min.
Yields: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
6 oz. puff pastry
2-3 large ripe but firm pears
⅔ cup dolce latte cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon butter, melted
⅓ cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons honey
Freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Lay pastry sheet on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Poke holes in the dough, leaving a 1½ inch border untouched. Bake for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, slice pears lengthwise and place flat on the pastry about 2” apart. Drizzle each piece with melted butter. Top with crumbled cheese and walnuts; drizzle with honey, and season with freshly ground pepper. Bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into rectangles with a pear slice centered in each piece.

Pretty-in-Pink Pear Salad

Prep: 10 min.
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 medium beets, diced
2 ripe pears, diced
½ cup fresh basil, shredded
¼ cup chopped walnuts
½ olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated horseradish, optional
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

1. Toss beets, pears, basil, and walnuts to combine.
2. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and horseradish if using.  Pour dressing over slaw and toss to coat. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. 

Creamy Pear & Parsnip Soup

Prep: 1 hour
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:
3 cups turnips, cubed
2 leeks, white parts chopped
1 clove garlic
2 ripe pears, cubed
3 cup organic, low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup crème fraiche
2 tablespoons butter
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Roasted walnuts and grated parmesan for garnish
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add garlic and leeks, stirring until tender for about 10-15 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 5 minutes more.
2. Add broth, pears, and nutmeg; bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook for another 20-30 minutes until the turnips are tender and falling apart.
3. Using an immersion blender, puree soup until smooth. Stir in crème fraiche and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with roasted walnuts and parmesan.

 What are some of your favorite recipes featuring the perfect pear?