6 pears
1/2 cup brown sugar - (packed)
1/3 cup maple-flavored syrup
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons orange juice
Directions: one line for each direction. When saved the lines will be numbered.
Peel pears. Core pears from bottom, leaving stems attached. Place pears upright in 3 1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker.
Mix remaining ingredients except cornstarch and orange juice; pour over pears. Cover and cook on HIGH heat setting 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until tender.
Remove pears from cooker; place upright in serving dish or individual dessert dishes.
Mix cornstarch and orange juice; stir into sauce in cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH heat setting about 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Spoon sauce over pears.
This recipe yields 6 servings.
For a honey of a pear, use 1/4 cup honey instead of the maple syrup for a sweet change of pace.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: 225 calories (25 calories from fat); 3 g fat (0 g saturated); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 52 g carbohydrate; 3 g dietary fiber; 1 g protein.
Comments: For an elegant dessert, place each pear upright on a pretty dessert plate. Spoon the sauce around the pear, and sprinkle with chopped toasted nuts or coconut. Spoon a big dollop of soft whipped cream alongside the pear, and garnish the plate with a twisted orange slice.
