gwpears

Ripe and juicy   pears   are one of the best fruits. A little-known fact is that pears are harvested before they are fully ripe to prevent them from becoming mushy while they are on the tree. As a result, they are usually not ripe and not ready to eat in the store. Our guide on how to ripen pears will save you from the disappointment of biting into a hard, tasteless piece of fruit.   Pears picked from the tree will ripen naturally, as long as they have not been exposed to cold temperatures. Read on for several different ways to ripen pears, and remember that room temperature is a prerequisite across the board.   pears   Checking if a pear is ripe   There is little change in the appearance of ripe and unripe pears, and the easiest way to determine if a pear is ripe is to examine the neck. Gently push the flesh of the pear toward the top of the stem. If the neck yields to the pressure, the pear is ripe and ready to eat.   If the pear is very soft all over and covered with dark spots, the

Here are a few recipes that feature   pears   as a key ingredient:     Huangguan Pears   1. Pear and Gorgonzola Salad    Combine sliced pears, mixed salad greens, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, and toasted walnuts in a bowl. Dress with a vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt.     2. Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini   Slice a baguette into thin rounds and toast until golden brown. Spread a mixture of blue cheese, softened butter, and chopped pear onto the crostini. Top with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and a drizzle of honey.     3. Pear and Gingerbread Trifle    In a trifle bowl, layer slices of gingerbread cake, whipped cream, diced pears, and a mixture of pear puree and pear liqueur. Repeat until the trifle bowl is full, then top with a final layer of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground ginger.     4. Roasted Pear and Brie Flatbread   Spread a store-bought pizza dough with a mixture of brie cheese, diced pears, and chopped pecans. Bake until the c