Edna Lewiss Spiced Pears Recipes

EDNA LEWIS'S SPICED PEARS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, toast the cloves, shaking the pan, until they're very aromatic. Add the sugar, vinegar and salt, and bring up to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel the pears, and halve them lengthwise, if needed, to fit the pan. (You can pick out the seeds if you like.) Carefully place the pears in the syrup, and simmer gently.
• Stir the pears every few minutes, to make sure they cook evenly, especially if the hot syrup doesn't completely submerge them. Cook them until they are just tender at their thickest parts; check with a toothpick after 15 minutes of cooking. When the pears are ready, remove the pan from the heat and place a clean plate on top of the pears to keep them submerged in the vinegar syrup. Allow to cool for six hours or overnight.
• Serve right away, store in the refrigerator or can. If you store them in the fridge, you can separate the pears and syrup and use them independently. If you plan on canning, Lewis instructs you to strain the syrup and boil it for 5 minutes. Pack the pears in jars, cover with the hot syrup and process according to your jar manufacturer's directions.

HOW TO CAN PEARS + SPICED PEAR CANNING RECIPE

Steps:

• Prepare your water bath canner (fill with water deep enough to cover the jars, place the wrack in it, and begin heating the water). Wash jars in hot soapy water, rinse, and place on a folded towel near the hot syrup and stove top.
• Peel pears by hand or using my super easy blanching method of 15 seconds in hot water, plunge into warm water, and peel. Keep peeled pears in a solution of lemon water (about 1/4 cup for a large bowl) to keep from turning brown.
• In a large stainless steel pot mix 5 and 3/4 cup water with 1 and 1/2 cups sugar, stir until sugar is dissolved and heat over medium low heat to almost a boil. Place the pears into the hot syrup in a single layer and let heat through for about 5 minutes.
• Fill your jar with 2 four inch cinnamon sticks & spices if using (wide mouth is the easiest to use for packing) then fill with the hot pear using a slotted spoon to a generous 1/2 inch head space. Then using a ladle and canning funnel, pour the hot syrup over the pears to a 1/2 inch head space. Remove air bubbles and double check your head spaced, adding more syrup if needed.
• Wipe the rim of the jar clean and place on lid and band. Tighten down to finger tip tight and place jar in the water bath canner.
• When you've filled the canner, make sure the surface of the water is at least 1 to 2 inches over the top of the jars and bring to a hard boil. Start the processing time after the water has reached a full boil and process 20 minutes for pints and 25 minutes for quarts.*
• *Note: if you're 1,000 feet above sea level, increase processing time by 5 minutes.
• When jars have processed, turn off the heat and remove canner lid and leave jars in the canner for 5 minutes. Then remove jars onto a folded towel in a draft free area and let cool for 24 hours.

SPICED FRESH PEARS

Steps:

• Combine the water, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and let cook for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. Peel the pears (if desired) and slice them in half. Remove the seeds. Drizzle or brush the pears on all sides with the lemon juice. Place the pears in covered container. When the spiced syrup has cooled, pour it over the pears. Cover the container and place the pears in the refrigerator for 8 hours, gently turning the container occasionally to coat the pears in the syrup.

SAUCY SPICED PEARS

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, combine the first nine ingredients and, if desired, cayenne. Cook over medium-high heat until butter is melted, 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally., Add pears; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until sauce is slightly thickened and pears are crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. If desired, top with mint.

SPICED PEARS

Steps:

• Drain pears, reserving syrup; set the pears aside. In a small saucepan, combine the syrup, brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pears and simmer for about 5 minutes more or until heated through.