SMOKED PEAR

Smoked Pears: Slide #2

Pears are everywhere! Time to bring some different flavors to your favorite pear recipes by doing an easy stove top smoking technique that doesn’t require you to stand over the stove the entire time. All it takes is a stove top set up, some SmokinLicious® Minuto® Wood Chips in size #4, and your pick of pears that are available in your area. I’ll be highlighting Bosc pears today but the same technique can be used with any variety: Bartlett, Anjou, Concorde, Seckel, any one will do. So bring in 4-8 of your favorites and let’s bring on the wood flavoring.

Material Needs Slide #3I said you would need a stove top smoking set up so you can either use a commercially available model, the one I’m using is by Technique® and is made of cast iron, or you can use a heavy grade pot with lid and an insert grate or steamer basket that is expandable. Wood chips will be needed for flavoring so I’ll be using Ash in Size #4 from SmokinLicious®. Be sure you are doing the smoking in a well ventilated area or even outside on a grill’s side burner. Standard kitchen hoods work great! Now gather everything together and head for the stove. It’s pear time!

Pear Preparation Slide #4

When I purchased my Bosc pears, I made sure that they were firm to the touch so that I would have some longevity to their use in recipes for a while. Carefully, wash each pear and then pat dry with a paper towel. I then slice each pear in half, removing the stem tip. This will give me a flat surface to smoke & cook my pears since I am using a stove top grill pan with my process. That will allow me to form some great grill marks on the pears while they cook. This gives me an option to use these in whole pieces for say a salad feature or dessert, perfect ways to highlight the golden smoked color.

Preparing the Pears Slide #5Once the pears are halved and the stems removed, I will core out the seeds and hard seed membrane with a small paring knife. Once that step is complete, I start the heat under my stove top smoking pan. This will be the base that will actually hold the wood chips. Remember, the chips need exposure to the heat in order to release their flavoring. I set my burner to medium heat which is where it will stay during the entire cook. I let the pan heat for just about 5 minutes then I will be ready to add the SmokinLicious® Minuto® Wood Chips for the wood flavoring.

Smoking Process Slide

#6 After heating up my base pan for the chips, I add one large handful of Minuto® Wood Chips in Size #4 from SmokinLicious®. I place a drip pan over the chips to prevent any of the pear juices from dripping directly onto the chips. Then on goes my grill pan. If you’re using a standard pot for this, you will place foil over the chips and then place your grate or steamer insert for the pears to sit on. As my pan is fairly large, I can seat 8 halves meat side down to the chips. Keep in mind, pears are one of the healthiest fruits having a low caloric count, 22% fiber, and high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The skin has a particularly high phytonutrient benefit making my preference for leaving it intact valid.

Smoking Process Slide #7Immediately, you can see just how much smoke is produced with just a handful of Minuto® Chips. Notice that the skin of the pears is taking on a very coppery finish. Although you don’t need to turn the pears during the cooking process, I have turned mine just to show the great grill marks that are developed from about 70 minutes worth of cooking time. Remember, if you have pears that are not very firm, they will require less cook time. I know mine are ready to be removed from the pan when I feel a slight give in the pear meat when I touch them with a set of tongs. Now remove to a cooling rack and start thinking about the ways to use these.

The Finish SLIDE #8 I bet these caramelized, glistening beauties are just making your mouth water! Once I cool these on a rack you’ll see how easy the skin can be removed if you should want to use just the pear meat. There are so many ways you can highlight the smoky flavor: in a smoothie, in a cocktail – think smoked pear bellini, sliced in a salad with gorgonzola cheese, anything your mind can dream up. Not only will you have a tantalizing flavor boost but you’ll reap the benefits of this very healthy fruit that even kids will love. Bon-Bar-B-Q!