Spiced Pears in Maple Syrup

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Rosemary Zwick of Cape Town, South Africa for this groaner:

Q: What is the difference between the sun and a loaf of bread?

A: One rises in the east, the other rises from the yeast.

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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This elegant dessert is as easy as they come, but the appearance
gives it an air of sophisticated refinement.

Spiced Pears in Maple Syrup

4-6 pears, peeled and cored from the bottom,
with stems attached
1 cup (250 ml) maple syrup
2 Tbs (30 ml) butter, melted
1 tsp (5 ml) grated orange peel
1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground ginger
1 Tbs (15 ml) cornstarch mixed with
2 Tbs (30 ml) orange juice

Place pears upright in a slow cooker. Mix together the maple syrup,
butter, orange peel, and ginger and pour over the pears. Cook covered
on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Alternately, cook tightly covered in a 300F
oven. Transfer the pears to a serving platter or individual serving dishes.
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the liquid in the slow cooker and cook
covered until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Spoon the
sauce over the pears. Serves 4 to 6.
Received on Fri Sep 9 14:50:09 2005