Minted Pears

Name: Minted Pears
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2-3 servings.
Ingredients: 3 medium ripe pears; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup water; 2 drops green food coloring; 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mint extract; Fresh mint sprigs

My grandmother would use food coloring to make red and green pears only at Christmastime, and I enjoy carrying on her tradition. When I prepare this for a salad, I fill the centers with fresh fruit, fruit cocktail or cottage cheese. As a dessert, there are more options...a dab of whipping cream with a cherry on top, a drizzle of chocolate on top of the whipped cream or a scoop of sherbet in a contrasting color. -Mary Selner, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Ingredients

3 medium ripe pears
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 drops green food coloring
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
Fresh mint sprigs

Directions

Peel pears and cut in half lengthwise; remove cores. In a large skillet, bring sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat; add food coloring and extract. Carefully place pears in syrup. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until tender.
Place pears in a deep bowl; pour syrup over pears. Make sure pears are completely covered in the syrup to prevent browning. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until serving. Garnish with fresh mint.