Winter Pears : They Suit a Variety of Dessert Recipes --or Do Well With a Slice of Cheese

ALTHOUGH ONE is not likely to find an extensive array of fruits at the market this time of year, winter pears have arrived and are abundant. These juicy, soft-fleshed, natural sweets are in delicate and delicious contrast to the sturdier foods that make up most of a hearty cold-weather menu. Pears are welcome additions to simple fruit salads made up of other seasonal fruits. Or they can be sliced and placed atop a tuna or chicken salad sandwich for a crisp, sweet touch.

But winter pears really come into their own when they’re used in desserts. Fortunately, they need little enhancement. For a light finale to a meal, try poaching them quickly in a simple port wine syrup and chilling them. Or if you prefer something hot, bake them with a crunchy, granola topping for an old-fashioned pear Betty-type of dessert.

Good as these desserts are, however, it’s hard to beat that simplest of all pear desserts--a fresh and firm, juicy fruit paired with a bit of pungent Gorgonzola or other blue cheese. It’s a time-honored way to end a winter meal.

POACHED PEARS IN PORT

2 cups port wine

3/4 cup sugar Juice of 1/2 lemon

11-inch stick cinnamon

4 pears, with stems

Combine port, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon in saucepan. Bring to boil. Peel pears, leaving stems intact. Cut small slice from blossom end so that pears will stand upright. Place pears in port mixture. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from heat. Allow pears to cool in syrup 20 minutes. Remove carefully and chill. Makes 4 servings.

PEAR-GRANOLA CRISP

4 pears

1 cup granola

1/3 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Slice and core pears, and place in buttered baking dish. Combine granola, flour, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon and sprinkle over pears. Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 40 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

Food styled by Norman Stewart; prop styling by RoseMary Aguayo; props courtesy of Tesoro Collection, Ltd.