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Sacramento, CA -- A recipe featuring chocolate and wine wouldn’t normally be viewed as a health food. But, when it includes a delectable fresh California pear, the dish offers a triple dose of heart healthy foods. In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, pears, red wine and chocolate were among a handful of foods associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease among post-menopausal women, a segment of the population most at risk for heart disease. Fortunately, for all of us, heart health can be vastly improved with changes in lifestyle and diet. As always, experts recommend eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and getting daily exercise. Now, for the good news -- when you feel yourself in need of a special treat, it’s OK to indulge in this simple and delicious recipe with foods known to have benefits for improved heart health. What could be better -- chocolate, pears, wine and a healthy heart – all in one fabulously delicious dessert?
Ingredients:
- 6 fresh California pears, peeled and sprinkled with the lemon juice as they are peeled
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- Peel of 1 lemon
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2-1/4 cups of water
- 1 bottle of red wine
- ½ - tsp cinnamon
- ½-tsp ground ginger
- ½-tsp nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- Fat free chocolate syrup
Directions:
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, make a simple syrup by combining red wine, sugar, water, lemon juice and lemon peel. Bring to a boil and reduce by ¼. Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and stir. Stand pears in the pan with syrup, not touching each other. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Let pears cool in syrup, then gently lift with a slotted spoon, place on a platter or bowl and set red wine mixture aside. To serve: Pour chocolate into individual serving bowls and warm slightly in microwave. Place poached pear on top of chocolate and drizzle with poaching juices. Top with additional chocolate syrup or chocolate shavings. Note: Pears can be poached a couple days ahead of time and refrigerated and warmed in the microwave or eaten cold. Serves 6.
Nutritional Information per serving:
calories – 321; total fat – 0.75 grams; saturated fat – 0.9 grams; monosaturated fat – 0.15 grams; polyunsaturated fat – 0.16 grams; percent calories from fat – 3%; protein – 1.87 grams; carbohydrates – 67.40 grams; cholesterol – 0; sodium – 76.56 mgs; fiber – 5.56 grams; sugar – 53.31 grams.