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(NAPSI)-Fresh American red and green Bartlett pears are
juicy, sweet and colorful. According to our nation's leading health
authorities, eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables will help
reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
At 5 A Day, we think using color is an easy and fun way to
ensure variety. We've divided fruits and vegetables into five color groups-red,
yellow/orange, white, green, and blue/purple. It's simple, you just choose
at least one fruit and/or vegetable from each group daily—the more the
better.
Pear Bistro Salad is a lively combination of colors and
flavors. The sweet, juicy flavor, firm texture and rich color of the pears,
complement the savory blue cheese, tart balsamic vinegar, and crunchy
walnuts. The addition of tender, white strips of lean chicken breast turns
this side dish salad into a light entrée, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Pears are available all year round. Their versatility and
easy handling, not to mention their nutritional value, make them very
popular with people of all ages. One medium pear has 4 grams dietary fiber
(16% of the Daily Value-DV), 210 milligrams potassium, 6 milligrams vitamin
C (10% DV) and about 100 calories. Pears are low in fat and naturally
cholesterol- and sodium-free. They offer a quick source of energy and are
ideal for someone trying to reach and maintain a healthful weight.
Bartlett pears are one of the few fruits that do not ripen
successfully on the tree. They are harvested by hand when fully mature, but
before they are ripe. Pears will ripen after they are harvested. Choose a
Bartlett that is bright and fresh looking with no bruises or external
damage. For home ripening, place pears in a paper bag or bowl at room
temperature for 3-5 days; they will yield to gentle pressure at the stem end
when ripe. Always wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before eating.
Pears are delicious eaten fresh and are most popular in
salads. They are also good baked, poached, sautéed , roasted, made into
preserves, jams and chutneys, and used as an ingredient in baked goods. For
more recipes and information about fresh American pears, go to the Web sites
www.usapears.com and
www.calpear.com and for
more information about 5 A Day The Color Way, visit
www.5aday.org and
www.aboutproduce.com.
Pear Bistro Salad
1 pound cooked, skinned chicken breast halves
8 cups assorted torn mixed salad greens
2 fresh Bartlett pears, cored and sliced
2 Tbsp. minced shallots or green onions
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese or other cheese
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Cut chicken into strips. Line platter with greens; top with
pears, cooked chicken, shallots and nuts. Top with cheese. Drizzle balsamic
vinegar to taste over salad. Serve with crusty bread, if desired. Makes 4
servings.
Nutritional information per serving: calories: 320, total
fat: 11.1g, saturated fat: 2.6g, % calories from fat: 30%, protein: 32g,
carbohydrates: 25g, cholesterol: 72mg, dietary fiber: 5g, sodium: 232mg. |
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