Pear Mash
Pear Mash
Pears make for a delicious change of pace from the more usual apple in this easy, fragrant fruit sauce. Eat it as is, swirl in a dollop of yogurt, or freeze the sauce in small plastic containers for a lunch-box dessert that doubles as an ice pack.
kitchen gear
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife (adult needed)
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
- Blender (adult needed)
Ingredients
- 4 large, very ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Put the pears in the pot and put the pot on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-low.
- Stir in the maple syrup. Cover the pot (if your pears aren’t super juicy, add 1⁄4 cup of water).
- When the pears are simmering, turn the heat down to low and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 20 minutes, or until they are very soft and falling apart.
- Cool the pears for 10 minutes, then mash them with a potato masher (or puree them with the food mill or food processor).
- Cool to room temperature, then serve right away or refrigerate, covered, up to 5 days.
Notes
Note: This is a good way to use overripe pears that might look too ugly to eat!
FANCY THAT!
Mild pear sauce makes a perfect backdrop for other flavors. After you puree the sauce, try adding any of the following:
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or cloves
- 1⁄2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries or strawberries (add these at the beginning of cooking)