**Oven-Dried Pears: A Sweet and Versatile Treat**
Oven-dried pears are a delicious and versatile snack or ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Made by slowly baking pears in a low oven until they become chewy and concentrated in flavor, these dried pears are a naturally sweet and nutritious treat. They can be eaten on their own as a healthy snack, added to trail mix or granola, or used as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or salads. This article provides two recipes for oven-dried pears: a simple version made with just pears and a spiced version that includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in delicious, chewy pears that can be enjoyed for weeks.
ARUGULA SALAD WITH PEARS, OVEN-DRIED GRAPES, AND ROASTED-SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE
Categories Salad Blender Fruit Leafy Green Onion Side Bake Thanksgiving Vegetarian Pear Arugula Fall Healthy Grape Shallot Bon Appétit Pescatarian Paleo Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 250°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Arrange grapes in single layer on baking sheet. Drizzle with 3 teaspoons olive oil; toss to coat. Place shallots on sheet of heavy-duty foil; drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil. Enclose in foil; place in small baking dish. Bake until shallots are very soft, about 1 1/2 hours, and grapes are shriveled and lightly caramelized, about 2 1/2 hours. Cool. Do ahead: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover separately; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.
- Combine shallots and accumulated juices, vinegar, and honey in blender and puree. Season with salt and pepper.
- With blender running, gradually blend in remaining 3/4 cup oil. Do ahead: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Toss arugula in large bowl with enough dressing to coat. Divide among plates. Top with pears and grapes. Sprinkle with cracked pepper and serve.
OVEN-DRIED PEARS
Once you taste homemade dried fruit, you may never opt for the packaged version again.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Yield Fills one standard baking pan
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Heat oven to 225 degrees. Line a pan with parchment. Cut each pear lengthwise into 1/8- to 1/4- inch-thick slices. Remove seeds and fibrous bits from each slice; arrange on pan, spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Transfer to oven; dry until pears become firmer, slightly chewy, and shriveled around edges, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 2 days or frozen, up to 6 weeks.
Tips:
- Choose ripe but firm pears for drying. Overripe pears will become too soft and mushy, while unripe pears will be too hard and dry.
- Peel and core the pears before drying. This will help them dry more evenly and prevent the skin from becoming tough.
- Slice the pears into thin, even slices. This will help them dry quickly and evenly.
- Toss the pear slices with a little lemon juice or ascorbic acid powder to prevent them from browning.
- Spread the pear slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Do not overlap the slices, or they will not dry properly.
- Dry the pear slices in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for 6-8 hours, or until they are leathery and pliable.
- Store the dried pears in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They will keep for up to 6 months.
Conclusion:
Oven-dried pears are a delicious and healthy snack that can be enjoyed all year round. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they are also low in calories and fat. Oven-drying pears is a simple process that can be done in just a few hours. With a little planning, you can enjoy delicious, homemade dried pears whenever you want!
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