Divine dinner party dessert!

July 3, 11:32 AMProvidence Healthy Food ExaminerCara Duskin

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Providence Healthy Food Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Don't underestimate this sweet fruit as a dessert!

So... you've invited your boss and his wife over for dinner, and you've got your menu all set. Except, wait! The dessert! Your husband suggests running to the local bakery and picking up some fancy, expensive, fatty pastries.

What kind of challenge would that be? Knowing that they're full of sugars and fats that you're trying to slowly weed out of your family's diet? No. You're ready to try something for dessert that is sweet, AND good for you. Well, have I got the thing for you.

It's a great recipe, and after prepared, only consists of approximately 150 calories (depending on the pudding you choose) and will barely cost you anything!

4 pears (cored, peeled, and cut in half lengthwise

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

4 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 ounces of a low-fat spread, like 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' , or 'Smart Balance'

1 package of a low-fat vanilla pudding to accompany the pears

1 lemon to take the rind from, either in curls or strips, to garnish the plate when finished

Preheat your oven to 400. Place the prepared pears in a small, non-stick casserole dish or roasting pan. Brush them with the lemon juice so they won't brown.

In a small saucepan on low heat, put the spread, sugar, and cinnamon in and stir gently. Make sure to keep that heat low, because the spread separates and too much of the water will evaporate on a higher setting. When warmed to a nice temperature with all ingredients incorporated, spoon the mixture over the pears evenly.

Bake your pears uncovered for about 22-24 minutes, or until they're nice and tender. Take a few chances during cooking to drizzle more of the mixture back on top of the pears.

Make your pudding according to directions, but serve it piping hot instead of cold. Spoon it over warmed dessert plates, and top with two pear halves when ready. Garnish it with the lemon rind, and perhaps a quick sprinkle of cinnamon, and serve! Your guests are sure to enjoy this inexpensive, healthy dessert like it were a fat-filled sugar pastry from a four star restaurant!