To make this gingered-pear sauce, make sure the pears are ripe to take advantage of their flavor, which will intensify upon roasting. This sauce goes great with ham. The technique of roasting works fantastically when applied to fruit because the high heat caramelizes the sugars in the fruit.
Roasting fruit is simple enough to do and requires only simple preparations: peeling and slicing the fruit, tossing the fruit with some sugar, and throwing it in the oven. You know it’s done when the fruit exudes juices and a rich amber caramelization occurs.
Gingered Pear Sauce
Tools: 13 x 9-inch roasting pan
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Yield: 2 cups
4 medium juicy, ripe pears (8 ounces each), such as Bartlett, peeled and cored
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the pears into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss the pears, brown sugar, and water together in a 13 x 9-inch roasting pan. Roast for about 50 minutes, gently tossing once or twice, until tender. The pears will be golden brown and have begun to caramelize. Stir in lemon juice and ginger.
Serve warm or refrigerate overnight in an airtight container. Rewarm over low heat on the stove top or in the microwave. May be made one week ahead.
Per serving: Calories 23 (From fat 0); Total fat 0g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 1mg; Carbohydrates 6g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 0g.