Florida, Fruit, Gift, Baskets, Recipes and Gourmet items

Florida, Gifts, Fruit, Recipes and Gourmet Items

Elegant Citrus Pears

Poaching pears in Florida Orange Juice gives them an invigorating tang without adding the usual dessert-load of calories.

3/4 cup frozen Florida Orange Juice Concentrate, thawed

1 cup water

3 medium fresh pears, peeled, cored, and halved

3/4 of an 8-ounce tub fat-free cream cheese

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 teaspoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Reserve 3 tablespoons of the thawed concentrate for filling. In a medium saucepan combine remaining concentrate and the 1 cup water. Add pear halves. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until pears are tender. Remove from heat; let pears cool in orange mixture for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a blender container combine cream cheese, the reserved concentrate, milk, and vanilla. Cover and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Remove pears with a slotted spoon; measure liquid. If necessary, gently boil the liquid until reduced to 1-1/2 cups. Combine cornstarch and the 2 tablespoons cold water; add to liquid in saucepan. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Stir in almonds. Divide sauce among 6 dessert plates; place a pear half, cut side down, on top of the sauce. Spoon cream cheese mixture over pears. Serve at once.

Makes 6 servings.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 155 cal., 6 g pro., 31 g carbo., 2 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 3 g dietary fiber, 4 mg sodium. Daily value: 71% vit. C, 11% vit. A, 15% folate, 10% calcium, 10% potassium.