I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side dish.
I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
be greatly appreciated!
TIA!

On Oct 17, 2:05*pm, Jen > wrote:
> I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
> Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
> was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
> think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
> elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
> find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
> come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
> cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
> ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
> to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side *dish.
> I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
> be greatly appreciated!
> TIA!

Sounds like it would be fantastic over ice cream...cinnamon, cardemon,
nutmeg, ginger, - any of these would be nice

On Oct 17, 5:10 pm, merryb > wrote:
> On Oct 17, 2:05 pm, Jen > wrote:
>
> > I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
> > Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
> > was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
> > think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
> > elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
> > find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
> > come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
> > cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
> > ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
> > to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side dish.
> > I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
> > be greatly appreciated!
> > TIA!
>
> Sounds like it would be fantastic over ice cream...cinnamon, cardemon,
> nutmeg, ginger, - any of these would be nice

You might consider this "simmered to death". I'm sure it's not what
you saw on TV.

As much as I don't like recipies, here is this. From an actual
cookbook. Mostly verbatum. Don't know why you couldn't substitute
pears for apples.

Never made this. I gather that it is edible when made, and storable
as well (lots of sugar and vinegar, so, should keep and improve in
flavor). The Country Kitchen Cutneys & Pickles, Barbara Beckett,
Harlaxton Pub. LTD., 1992. Blame them

Date & Apple Chutney

1 1/2 pounds cooking apples, peeled, cored, chopped
1 pound pitted ,chopped dates
1/2 pound finely chopped onion
11/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup golden raisins
1 t salt
1 t ground ginger
2 cloves garlic
1/2 t cayenne
21/2 cups white whine vinegar

Mix everything. Microwave 35-35 minutes, stirring every 10 min. Be
especially vigilant towards end of cooking time as it thickens.

Cool, ladle into sterized jars, seal and store in a dark place.

Jen wrote:
> I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
> Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
> was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
> think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
> elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
> find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
> come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
> cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
> ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
> to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side dish.
> I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
> be greatly appreciated!


If you don't want the fruits simmered, then don't simmer them. Core the
pears. Toss them raw in the food processor with the steel blade. Pulse
it a few times until the chunks are the size of pitted dates. Now add
the pitted dates. I'd put in some dried apricots also. Pulse it a few
more times until everything is the size of walnuts. Add walnuts, a tart
white wine like a riesling, and your choice of ground spices: cinnamon,
nutmeg, allspice, cloves. I like to go light on the spices. Pulse just
a little more until everything is combined but still chunky. Serve
immediately as the pears turn brown when exposed to air. If you want a
name for the side dish, call it Mediterranean charoses.


--Lia

On Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:05:54 -0700 (PDT), Jen >
wrote:

>I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
>Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
>was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
>think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
>elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
>find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
>come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
>cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
>ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
>to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side dish.
>I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
>be greatly appreciated!
>TIA!

I'd slice the pears in pieces that would fit inside the dates. Once
the pears are in the dates I'd top with a dollop of cream cheese
that's been spiced with chili powder or some spicy blend of your
choice.

Or...stuff the dates with a chili spiced pear, then wrap with a piece
of bacon and broil or fry until bacon is cooked.

Or...Cut the pear in half lengthwise and scoop out some of the flesh.
Cook the flesh with some chorizo sausage and chopped dates, drain.
Place the mixture back into the cavity of the pear and place under
broiler until the pear takes on some color.

Or...while the pear flesh and chorizo and dates are cooking place the
cut pears, cut side down in a skillet of butter and a little brown
sugar and brown before stuffing.

Best I can come up with off the top of my pointy little head. ;-)

koko
There is no love more sincere than the love of food
George Bernard Shaw
www.kokoscorner.typepad.com
updated 10/14

Jen wrote:

> I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
> Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
> was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
> think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
> elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
> find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
> come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
> cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
> ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
> to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side dish.
> I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
> be greatly appreciated!

By the term "side dish," am I right in thinking you want to serve this
alongside some main course at dinner, rather than a dish for breakfast or
dessert?

Bob

Jen wrote:
> I was watching Iron Chef a few weeks back; it was Cat Cora vs.
> Alexandra Guarnaschelli and one of them, not sure who, but I think it
> was Alexandra, made a dish with red pears, medjool dates and what I
> think was brown sugar and butter sauteed in a pan... they didn't
> elaborate on the recipe, unfortunately, and I haven't been able to
> find any info on what it was. I've been waiting for the red pears to
> come into the store, and I finally got some today, so now I'm ready to
> cook. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with these
> ingredients? I don't want to do a compote or anything that's simmered
> to death, I want the fruits to stand alone, and act as a side �dish.
> I'm not sure what spices or other ingredients to use. Any ideas would
> be greatly appreciated!
> TIA!

This is what you asked for, a crapo amaturish recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/d...ipe/index.html

But I can come up with better recipes that feature dates and pears...
why not a date nut bread slice topped with Champagne poached pear
halves with mounds of soft whipped cream and buttery caramelized date
sauce garnish.

Me, I'd just eat the pears and dates plain with a wedge of gorganzola
and a bottle of Dom P., why mess with perfection.

Iron Chef features by far the most amaturish cooking ever... actually
I don't call that cooking... it'a all about who can turn the best
ingredients into the most sickeningly disgusting garbage... Iron Chef
should be on the Landfill and Composting Network.

Sheldon wrote:

> But I can come up with better recipes that feature dates and pears...
> why not a date nut bread slice topped with Champagne poached pear halves
> with mounds of soft whipped cream and buttery caramelized date sauce
> garnish.

This sounds very good, though of course it's not a side dish, which is what
the OP requested. To make a side dish with pears and dates, I might make a
mixture of cornbread, chopped pears, chopped dates, bacon, and onions, and
use it to stuff a pork roast.

You could put dates and pears into a spinach salad with hard-boiled eggs and
chicken breast strips; it might be particularly interesting if you halved
and cored the pears and then grilled them.

If you wanted to make a date-and-pear dessert, I'd go along with Sheldon on
the "buttery caramelized date sauce," but that sauce would be on top of a
grilled pear with vanilla frozen custard.

For breakfast, how about making waffles with puréed dates, topped with
chunks of pears and toasted almonds?

Bob

On Oct 17, 7:56*pm, "Bob Terwilliger" >
wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
> > But I can come up with better recipes that feature dates and pears...
> > why not a date nut bread slice topped with Champagne poached pear halves
> > with mounds of soft whipped cream and buttery caramelized date sauce
> > garnish.
>
> This sounds very good, though of course it's not a side dish, which is what
> the OP requested. To make a side dish with pears and dates, I might make a
> mixture of cornbread, chopped pears, chopped dates, bacon, and onions, and
> use it to stuff a pork roast.
>
> You could put dates and pears into a spinach salad with hard-boiled eggs and
> chicken breast strips; it might be particularly interesting if you halved
> and cored the pears and then grilled them.
>
> If you wanted to make a date-and-pear dessert, I'd go along with Sheldon on
> the "buttery caramelized date sauce," but that sauce would be on top of a
> grilled pear with vanilla frozen custard.
>
> For breakfast, how about making waffles with puréed dates, topped with
> chunks of pears and toasted almonds?
>
> Bob

Wow... Original Poster here...

Some really great ideas, and I must thank Sheldon for finding the
recipe on Food Network. I searched and searched with no luck. Anyway,
it might not be the most sophisticated way to prepare these
ingredients, but you know how it is when you see something and you
just get it stuck in your head that you MUST try it, even if it
doesn't turn out great? That's where I am right now. So, I will
probably try to make it according to the recipe, but I loved the idea
of making waffles (or pancakes!) with pureed dates topped with chunks
of pears and toasted almonds. So thanks to all who had ideas and
suggestions, I am so glad to have this one put to bed! I'll try to
make it tomorrow!