Pears are definitely a sweet treat right out of the can, but
have you ever considered using them as the main ingredient?
Use canned pears to rejuvenate any tired recipe—soups,
salads, even casseroles. Just be prepared to hear applause
for the cook at your next family dinner when you use these
tips:

• The next time you prepare a salad, toss some slices of
  canned pears in with the regular lettuce, tomato and
  cucumber. Even kids will crave salad when they know
  it has the sweet taste of pears in it!
  
  
• Instead of adding salt to soup for extra flavor—add canned
  pear chunks! Better yet, try our delicious Morrocan Chicken
  Soup recipe.
  
  
• Chop up some canned pears and mix them into your favorite flavor of ice cream or yogurt for an added sweetness that can't be beat!
  
  
• Use canned pears in salsa and other sauces. It’s light
  texture and flavor will add a new kind of class to your next
  meal at home.

• Beware of trans-fats looming in store aisles. This term will soon be a household name when a new law, going into effect in 2006, will require all food labels to

include this newly discovered type
of fat. Trans fats are generally found in pre-packaged/frozen meals containing any type of partially hydrogenated oils, and can increase your risk of heart disease. Rely on natural goods as much as possible to limit trans-fat consumption.

• Quality should outweigh quantity. Don’t always rely solely on the amount for your buck when deciding what to buy. Instant cups of soup or microwave dinners may seem cheaper and easier than buying ingredients and cooking your own recipe, but in the long run, high consumption of these salt-laden dishes will take a toll on overall health.
  
  
• Plan ahead, make a list and stick to it. By planning out a week of recipes in advance, make a specific ingredient list and be focused and prepared when you get to the grocery store. By knowing what the week looks like ahead of time, you will be less likely to stress and grab unhealthy items.
  
  
• Rely on canned goods for healthy, easy meals. Canned items take much longer to spoil than their fresh counterparts, so keep them in mind when shopping. They can be a lifesaver in the kitchen when you don’t feel like running to the grocery store to get ingredients for a last-minute meal. Keep a plentiful supply of sweet and juicy Pacific Northwest canned pears on your pantry shelf to ensure your family will never be without them!

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup cranberry sauce, jellied or
whole berry
1 can (15 ounces) Bartlett pear slices
in juice, drained and juice reserved
1 box (14 ounces) gingerbread mix

Preheat oven to 350°F. When oven is hot, add butter to 9-inch square baking pan and place pan in oven to melt butter. Remove pan from oven and stir in cranberry sauce; return pan to oven until mixture is bubbly, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from oven; arrange pear slices evenly over sauce; set aside. Prepare gingerbread mix as directed, substituting reserved pear juice for water. (If necessary, add water to reserved juice in order to equal the amount of liquid called for.) Pour gingerbread batter evenly into pan, being careful not to disturb the layer of pears. Bake for 35 to 38 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of gingerbread comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes on wire rack; turn out onto serving plate to cool completely.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING)

Calories 345, Protein 3g, Carbohydrate 52g, Fiber 4g,
Fat 15g, Sodium 391mg, Cholesterol 44mg

• A one-ounce serving size of cereal is the size of a tennis ball.
  
  
• A computer mouse is the size of a medium (five-ounce) potato.
  
  
• A bar of soap is the size of a three to four-ounce serving of fish, chicken or meat.
  
  
• One serving size of spaghetti (1/2 cup) is about 32 strands.
  
  
• A hockey puck is about the size of a three-ounce bagel.