Pears with a twist

I really enjoy a ripe, sweet pear and realize we are just finishing pear season so I'll share a few of my favorite recipes.

According to whfoods.com (world's healthiest foods), pears are low in calories, high in fiber, Vitamins C & K.  "The skin of pears contains at least three to four times as many phenolic phytonutrients as the flesh. These phytonutrients include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory flavonoids, and potentially anti-cancer phytonutrients like cinnamic acids. The skin of the pear has also been show to contain about half of the pear's total dietary fiber."

Pear Fruit Leather
I love "paring" pears with ginger.  This is especially good in a smoothie or when making pear fruit leather - simply blend the pears until smooth with ginger added.  Try in a dehydrator in a 1/8" thick layer until dry.  Roll up and enjoy an all natural fruit roll up.

Pear Cashew Cream
This is absolutely delicious and makes a good fruit dip or topping for an apple pie.

1 cup raw cashews
1 large, very ripe pear - chopped
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla powder or paste (or seeds from a vanilla bean, even better)

1) Blend the cashew nuts to a flour-like consistency using a blender.
2) Add the pear and water; blend until creamy, adding more water if needed.
3) Add the vanilla and blend briefly.
Tip:  Freeze and in a few hours you will have ice cream.  Extra yummy!
From Raw Food: A complete guide for every meal of the day by Erica Palmcrantz and Irmela Lilja

Pear Kale Mint Smoothie
4 ripe pears
5 leaves of kale
1/2 bunch mint
2 cups water

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  Enjoy. Makes 1 serving.