Five Spice Roasted Pears With Sesame Seeds Recipes

FIVE-SPICE ROASTED PEARS WITH SESAME SEEDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 11- by 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with some of butter.
• Brush pears all over with lemon juice and put, cut sides down, in baking dish. Pour water around pears and scatter remaining butter in dish. Sprinkle pears with sugar and five-spice powder.
• Bake, uncovered, in middle of oven, brushing frequently with pan juices, until pears are tender and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve pears warm, drizzled with some pan juices and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

FIVE SPICE BAKED RIBS WITH A STICKY HONEY SESAME SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet or large roasting pan with aluminum foil.
• Using a mortar and pestle or an electric spice mill, crush the star anise, fennel seeds and Szechuan peppercorns. Stir in the five-spice powder and 2 teaspoons salt. Put the ribs into a bowl and sprinkle over the spice mixture. I like to get my hands in and rub everything in. Place the ribs in one layer on the baking sheet or roasting pan. Put them in the oven and cook for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a small pot stir together the soy sauce, olive oil, honey, chilies, garlic, lime zest and sesame seeds, if using.
• When the ribs have cooked for 45 minutes, remove them from the oven and brush them with half the glaze. Sprinkle over the scallions and season well with salt and pepper. Return the ribs to the oven for 15 minutes. Bring the remaining glaze to a boil and remove it from the heat.
• To serve, cut the ribs and pile them onto a big platter. Serve with the remaining glaze as a dipping sauce. I like to serve this with a large green salad and put everything in the middle of the table so everyone can help themselves.

ROASTED PEARS WITH SALT AND PEPPER CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pears: Peel the pears if desired. Cut the pears in half and scoop out the cores. Cut each half in half again.
• Arrange the pear pieces cut-side down in a large saute pan. Dot the butter all around the pears and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, occasionally swirling the pan but not stirring, until the pears are lightly browned and the butter begins to sizzle, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon and fennel seeds over the pears, then gently stir and baste the pears with the butter and spices. Continue to cook just until the pears are tender, then add the vanilla and gently stir to incorporate. Keep the pears warm until ready to serve.
• For the caramel sauce: Stir together the granulated sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat, swirling the mixture occasionally (do not stir). If you notice crystals forming around the edge of the pan, wipe the inside of the pot with a pastry brush moistened with water.
• Cook the sugar mixture at a simmer until it has turned deep brown and registers between 330 and 350 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter, salt and pepper until completely incorporated. Carefully add the heavy cream. Reserve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve. (Keeps up to 4 weeks, refrigerated in an airtight container.)
• For the whipped creme fraiche: In a clean bowl, beat together the heavy cream, creme fraiche, confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract with an electric mixer or by hand until stiff peaks form. Reserve chilled until ready to serve.
• Arrange the pears on a platter. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce, then top with a couple dollops of the whipped creme fraiche. Serve with additional caramel sauce and whipped creme fraiche on the side.

ROASTED PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Peel, if you wish (I leave them unpeeled) Slice pear in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds to make a nice circle. Spray with veggies spray and set aside in a gratin dish sprayed with veggie spray, cut side up.
• In a small bowl mix together, cream cheese, salt, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon honey. Fill each pear half cavity with half of the cheese mixture.
• Place a half walnut on top of the cheese mixture; lightly press it down. Drizzle pear halves with remaining teaspoon of honey.
• On centre grate in oven, roast at 350°F for about 1 hour or until soft. Test with a toothpick at about 45 minutes.