By Mary Lynne Hixson, MA, RD
Last month, Flourish with Food introduced CNN’s Eat ⎸but better series, which focuses on the Mediterranean way of eating. This e-newsletter is a module in their free Life ⎸but better series. https://www.cnn.com/newsletters/life-but-better
A recent Eat ⎸but better feature, “dessert reinvented”, caught my eye. Sweets originating in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean include flan, tiramisu, baklava, and cannoli. Decadent and yummy splurges!
However, these sweets are saved for special occasions, which is consistent with the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid’s guidance “to eat sweets less often”. https://oldwayspt.org/traditional-diets/mediterranean-diet
Interestingly, everyday meals in the region are often finished off with fresh or dried fruit. Typical choices include figs, dates, citrus fruits, pomegranate arils, and grapes. While they can be served in their simplest form, something more interesting may be desired.
The “dessert reinvented” feature included a link to Pomegranate Poached Pears. https://chefabbiegellman.com/how-to-poach-pears. As a pear and pom juice lover, the recipe had to be tried. Result…delicious and easy. The pears held well in the refrigerator for several days. Warmed chopped pears were tasty in cooked oatmeal.
Recipe prep note: Substitutes were used for the 3 less-common ingredients: ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (cinnamon stick), ¼ tsp ground cloves (4 whole cloves) and 4 Tbsp maple syrup (⅓ c. maple sugar).
Be sure to enjoy the pomegranate juice, as it’s an antioxidant superhero. The spiced pom juice nicely flavored club soda for a fizzy beverage.
Ideas for elegant whole or dried fruit:
About Mary Lynne Hixson, MA, RD:
Mary Lynne, a registered dietitian, helps others enhance their health through the advocacy of nutrient-rich food choices and safe food-handling practices. Her expertise also includes counseling patients who have Type 2 diabetes and advising those who are in medically managed weight loss programs. After her 35+ year career, she retired and became involved with the launch of Harvest of Hope Pantry in 2012 as a Board of Directors member. Mary Lynne is a weekly volunteer with Cultivate’s Carry-Out Caravan program, shopping and delivering groceries to seniors in the Boulder area, and also a frequent volunteer with Harvest of Hope.
Help seniors flourish by reconnecting them—as recipients and contributors—with their surrounding communities.