Breakfast gets fancy.
Beautiful Pears
I love pears; yet I rarely think to put them on my grocery list. I’ll pick up raspberries for oatmeal, grapefruit for a pre-run snack, bananas for my favorite Chocolate-Chip Banana Bread…
I usually skip right by the quiet, unassuming pears. Recently, however, a recipe for pear muffins caught my eye, prompting me to purchase a few. And yesterday morning I abandoned my muffin plans, slicing the green beauties up for breakfast instead.
I’m capricious like that.
Vanilla-Pear Breakfast Cobbler
(Serves 2-3)
Based on this recipe.
- 2 1/2 cups sliced pear
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp each cinnamon and ginger
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup shredded wheat, crushed (I used Post wheat-n-bran. You can try rice chex or crispies or flake cereal for a gluten-free version. Granola works, too.)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar (If I’m serving this to friends, I’ll add the sweetener. But I actually like the recipe without it. So if you want a very slightly-sweet recipe, you can omit.)
- 1 packet nunaturals stevia or omit and add 2 extra tbsp of the sugar or maple syrup.
- 1 tbsp melted margarine (such as Earth Balance) or sub oil and add 1/8 tsp salt. If you want a fat-free crisp, double the applesauce called for below, and omit the margarine.
- 1 tbsp applesauce (For a more buttery taste, replace this with an extra tbsp of the margarine)
- 1 container yogurt of choice: vanilla or plain (I used SoDelicious coconut-based yogurt)
- optional: 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract if using plain yogurt
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the pears, lemon, arrowroot, spices, 1/2 the salt, and 1/2 the sweetener in a bowl. Let sit for ten minutes. Meanwhile, stir the crushed cereal, remaining sweetener, remaining salt, melted margarine or oil, and applesauce in a bowl until well-blended. Spread the pear mixture in a small baking pan (such as a 4×7), and top with the cereal mixture. Bake for 45 minutes.
See the bottom of the linked post for Calories and Nutrition Info.
Just before serving, mix each portion with some of the yogurt. Alternatively, you can skip the yogurt and serve the breakfast cobbler with a scoop of vegan ice cream instead!
Question of the Day:
Do you have any “fancy breakfast” recipes?
French toast, waffles, crepes… Yesterday, when a reader on facebook asked me for suggestions, I realized I don’t have recipes for any of these on my blog! They’re all now on my to-make list. As for fancy breakfast recipes I do have:
These are pretty fancy: Hot Apple Pie Pancakes.
Question: I use many of your recipes or modifications of your recipes for my kids cooking class at the YMCA. Thanks, Katie! The recipes often come single portion sized which is perfect. I only have 45 minutes to do class but I’ve been wanting to do something great with pears. I have silicone muffin cups and a new super cool toaster oven. How long do you think individual ones would take? Would you make any other modifications for single servings?
Hi Karen,
Unfortunately, I never know how something will work until I try it out!
Also, I just wanted to make sure you’re crediting me as the source of the recipes for your class… I’m afraid this sounds so petty, but there’s a reason: I’m working on a cookbook and therefore don’t want my recipes passed around without credit :).
Thanks! I completely understand about the recipes. I frequently simplify the recipes I get online or modify them for a 5 yo palate, but I tell everybody including my classes and the people who stop to talk to me in the grocery store about your blog!
Aww Karen, thank you so much. That really means a lot to me :).
Oooh this does sound really fancy! My dad makes the best blueberry waffles. And I had a nutella crepe in France…..heaven.
Ooh, I never thought of doing that – although I do make my own little baked oatmeal with apples, my fanciest breakfast would be a french toast/vanilla pecan souffled pancake.
I can’t believe I’ saying this, but your photos are getting even BETTER. I mean, they were amazing before, but I mean now… They’re breathtaking. Keep it up. 🙂
I feel the same way about pears! I think I avoid them because they don’t travel as well at times, but they are tasty. Your cobbler looks great!
As for fancy breakfast, I think it’s my favorite thing to make. This week I did a Matcha Breakfast Cake with a coconut banana filling. You can check it out here if you’re interested: http://cravingsgoneclean.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/make-it-a-matcha-morning/
I luv pears..yum! I luv that bowl too…such a beautiful color-I have been keeping my eye out for some new dinnerware for photos!
Looks delicious. I love that bowl. I agree I often overlook pears, but will have to put them on the grocery list to make this!!
And I happen to have a pear in my fridge RIGHT now. 😀
Just made this, and it is PERFECT! Sooo good. So much flavor and a perfect combination of healthy and delicious for breakfast!
I love pears and i love cobbler and a fat free cobbler sounds like it can be worked into my diet as a replacement for the crushed granola bar and 5 percent yogurt i normally have in the evening, and with only 230 cals its much better looking to me.