Asian Pear Recipes

ASIAN PEAR COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Put the pear, shochu and lemon juice in a blender and puree until smooth. Pass the pear puree through a very fine mesh sieve (or a regular sieve lined with cheesecloth). Press on the solids to get as much juice out as possible.
• Fill 4 glasses with large ice cubes and put a shiso leaf in each glass. Use a blunt object to pound the ice and shiso to release its flavors. Divide the pear mixture between the 4 glasses and serve.

ASIAN PEAR PIE

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix 2 cups of the flour and the salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with ginger ale, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl. Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half. Shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable.
• Heat oven to 500°F. In small bowl, mix remaining 1/3 cup flour, the brown sugar and five-spice powder. In large bowl, gently toss pears and lemon juice; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture and toss again.
• On lightly floured surface, roll one round of pastry into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths and place in pie plate. Unfold pastry and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Spoon filling into pastry-lined plate; dot with butter.
• Trim overhanging edge of bottom pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Roll other round of pastry. Fold into fourths and cut slits so steam can escape. Place pastry over filling and unfold; trim, seal and flute edge. Brush top with egg white. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place pie plate on a cookie sheet. Place in oven.
• Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust. Cool on cooling rack at least 2 hours.

ASIAN PEAR SLAW

Steps:

• Peel strings from celery with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler and cut celery into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks.
• Whisk together juice, vinegar, and ginger and stir in celery and remaining ingredients with salt and pepper to taste. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

KALBI (KOREAN MARINATED SHORT RIBS)

Steps:

• Place ribs in a bowl and cover with water; soak until water turns pink, about 1 hour. Drain and rinse in cold water.
• Combine soy sauce, Asian pear, onion, garlic, and ginger in a food processor. Pulse until smooth.
• Combine green onions, sesame oil, brown sugar, sesame seeds, honey, and black pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Add ribs and coat thoroughly with the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Cook ribs on the grill until slightly charred and tender, about 4 minutes per side.

ASIAN PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the Asian pear, radicchio, baby greens, blue cheese, and pecans.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar (or honey), pinch of salt, and a few good grinds of pepper.
• Add the shallots to the vinaigrette then set aside.
• When serving, dress the greens lightly, season to taste, and serve immediately.