Pear And Rosemary Bread Recipes

PEAR AND ROSEMARY BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pans .
• Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and set aside.
• Chop the pears and process them to a smooth puree with the lemon juice in a food processor or a blender. You should have about two cups of pear puree. Chop the rosemary leaves and mix with the pears.
• Beat the butter and three-fourths cup sugar together until creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. The mixture may look slightly curdled. Stir in the pear puree alternately with the flour mixture, mixing only until all the flour is blended in.
• Spread the batter in the two pans, place in the oven and bake 20 minutes. Dip each sprig of rosemary in water, then in the remaining tablespoon of sugar and place a sprig on top of each loaf. Continue baking another 35 to 40 minutes, until the bread is nicely browned. Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then remove them from the pans to finish cooling on racks. Wrap cooled loaves in plastic and allow to rest overnight.

PEAR AND ROSEMARY BUTTER

Steps:

• Boil juice in heavy large pot until reduced to 1 cup, about 30 minutes. Add pears and pinch of salt; return to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until pears are very soft, stirring occasionally to immerse pears in juice, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to processor and puree until smooth. Return puree to same pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Cover partially; simmer over medium-low heat until puree is thick enough to mound slightly on spoon, stirring often and being careful when removing lid (puree will spatter vigorously), about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard vanilla bean. Stir in rosemary and vinegar. Cover; let stand 30 minutes to infuse. Discard rosemary. Cool to room temperature. Cover and chill until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 2 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.)
• *Available at natural foods stores and many supermarkets.

FRESH PEAR BREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir into the egg mixture just until moistened. Toss pears with lemon juice. Stir pears and walnuts into batter (batter will be thick). , Spoon into 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

PEAR AND ROSEMARY FOCACCIA WITH FONTINA CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix contents of flour pouch and yeast packet in large bowl. Stir in water and 2 tablespoons of the oil until dough is soft and leaves side of bowl.
• Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead about 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy, sprinkling with additional flour as necessary if sticky. Cover with large bowl; let rest 5 minutes.
• Grease large cookie sheet or 12-inch pizza pan with small amount of oil. Press dough into 12-inch circle on cookie sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray and let rise in warm place about 30 minutes or until double.
• Heat oven to 375°. Gently make depressions in dough about 1 inch apart with fingers or handle of wooden spoon. Carefully brush with remaining oil. Sprinkle with rosemary. Arrange pear slices on dough.
• Bake 15 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool. To serve, cut focaccia into 16 wedges. Alternate focaccia wedges with slices of cheese on serving platter. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.