My $5 Christmas Golden Asian Pear

The English Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” begins with the true love giving the singer a partridge in pear tree on the first day of Christmas. As a youngster, I always imagined that this was a minature pear tree filled with golden pears and a tiny partridge. The singer got it all. In revisiting the lyrics as I became older, I see that there are other interpertations, including some religious ones. And a few more stark ones. Perhaps the true love shot the partridge which was sitting in a pear tree in an English orchard and cooked it for a magnificant Christmas dinner along with pears for dessert. I don’t have a partridge, although hunting for wild fowl is a quite popular winter sport in Louisiana. However, I do have a golden pear which is going to make a striking salad for a Christmas meal. And, best of all, I learned that the “Twelve Days of Christmas” actually begins on Christmas Day. The holiday goes for twelve days until January 6 (Epithany). We can keep the Christmas spirit going!

About the Twelve Days of Christmas, Epiphany and Mardi Gras

In some parts of the world, the Christmas holiday lasts for twelve days. It begins on Christmas Day and runs through January 6 — the Epiphany, sometimes referred to as Three Kings’ Day. The Epiphany is when the Magi — or three wise men — made it to Bethlehem to pay homage to the Christ child. In some cultures, a gift is given on each day of the holiday. Then, on the forenight of Epipthany (January 5th), there is lots of celebration, feasts, games and plays. A pastry cake, with a bean hidden inside, is served. Whomever finds the bean becomes the king of queen, hosting the party.

The next day — January 6 or Epipthany — also has significance in South Louisiana. This is when the Mardi Gras carnival season officially begins — on King’s Day or the 12th Night. Bring out the King Cakes, parties and parades. The first 12th night parade and ball in New Orleans was celebrated in 1870 by the Twelfth Night Revelers who formalized the Mardi Gras connection with Epipthany. The King Cake tradition — with a tiny baby hidden inside the King Cake — still continues. Whomever gets the baby brings the King Cake to the next office party.

Surprise $5 Golden Pear

The center piece of my Christmas dinner salad is a beautiful Asian pear. I sent my husband grocery shopping to find an assortment of pears for another blog post. And he returned home successfully with a basket of pears — including an Asian pear. But, wow! What a surprise when I realized that the price of each Asian pear was $5.00. I had no idea that these pears were so expensive. Of course, I would have instructed him to skip the Asian pears. Now that I have an Asian pear, I need a special event to feature the pear. How about a simple but elegant pear salad on Christmas day. And the Asian pear is so aromatic!

About pears

Pears are native to coastal and mildly temperate regions from Western Europe and North Africa and east to across Asia. They have grown since ancient times; pears were cultivated in China as early as 2000 BC Although there are 3000 known varieties of pears worldwide, three species account for most of the editible pears. Pears were brought to America by earlier settlers. Now, most commercial pears for eating are grown in Oregan and Washington since editable pears in eastern states have been decimated by blights.

For interesting trivia, the Chinese consider the pear tree to be a symbol of immortality due to its ability to live to the old age of 250 years. In addition to eating, pear trees are prized for making musical instruments including flutes, recorders and harpisicords.

Here are some tidbits about Asian pears:

• They are larger that other pears, shaped like an apple rather than enlongated fruit,
• Have a “sandpaper” bonze skin, but the white pulp is smoother and not as grainy as other pears,
• Unlike other pears which are picked green, Asian pears ripen best on the tree. Because they are picked ripe, they may be wrapped in a protective layer to prevent bruising during shipping,
• They remain crisp, they do not soften and become mushy on the inside,
• They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three months (in a paper or plastic bag) — according to the Oregon University Extension Serivce,
• Eat the fregrant pears raw in salads or cook with them.

Pear Salad Recipe

This salad has two “stars.” Ripe Asian peara are aromatic as well as striking. However, it is the balsamic vinegar in the salad dressing which gives this salad some “spark.” This deceptively simple but elegant salad is delicious. So easy to mix up. Here are the ingredients for my salad:

A sping mix of salad greens which are tender and flavorful made the base for the salad.

The salad dressing consists simply of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. I mix it up in vintage “Good Seasonings” cruet. Add the ingredients and shake; just makes sure the lid is placed on tightly. Alternately, emulsify the ingredients in a small blender or food processor — this is my prefered method — although it takes a little more work and uses another kithchen appliance.

You don’t have to peel this Asian pear. Simply cut the pear in half and cut out the core. I use either a small aluminum measuring spoon or a melon baller for this task. Then quarter the pear and slice, but not all the way to the top. Flan out the pear slices.

To finish the salad, mix some of the salad dressing with the greens in a bowl. Then place salad greens on each salad plate. Arrange pear and red onion slices on the greens.

Pass additional salad dressing at the table to drizzle more dressing on each salad, if desired.

One of the advantages of Asian pears is their long shelf life — these pears can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. So, I got ready for Christmas dinner early by purchasing this Asian pear ahead of time. Now, I’m ready to assemble this salad without alot of fuss. This salad is simple and strking. It is delicious!

Enjoy this recipe and Christmas holiday with family and friends this year!

Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients for Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (I like Cento Balsamic Vinegar), 
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• pinch black pepper

Method and Step for Vinaigrette:

1. Add balsamic vinegar to an 8 oz “Good Seasoning” cruet or jar with tight fitting lid.*
2. Add water next, followed by olive oil.
3. Add and pepper. Shake vigorously to combine. 
4. If needed, recombine before serving

NOTE: May place ingredients in small blender or food processor and pulse to combine.

Ingredients for Pear Salad:

• 2 ripe Asian pears
• 5 oz spring salad green mix
• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced, peeled red onion

Method and Steps for Pear Salad

• Cut pears in half lengthwise just beside the stems. Do not peel.
• Use a melon baller or small aluminum measuring spoon to cut out the core and seeds.
• Grasp the stem in your hand and pull up to remove stem and fiber.
• Then cut pears again to make fourths.
• Using a sharp kitchen knife, make cuts about 1/4″ apart, from the wide part to the stem — do not cut the entire length — leave pear intact. Fan pears out. Set aside.
• Rinse and drain spring salad green mix. Place in large bowl.
• Shake Balsamic Vinaigrette well, pour about 1/4 to 1/3 cup over the salad greens. Toss to combine.
• Divide the salad greens between salad plates. (Some salad greens may be left.)
• Arrange a fanned pear on each plate. Add a few red onion slices.
• Serve.
• Pass additional balsamic vinaigrette for serving, if desired, as well as additional salad.

References:

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/members-area/kids/kids-tudors/twelve-days-of-christmas/#:~:text=The%20twelfth%20day%20of%20Christmas,great%20feasts%2C%20games%20and%20plays.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pear

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/food/preservation/preserving-asian-pears-sp-50-694#:~:text=Asian%20pears%20are%20usually%20sold,in%20flavor%2C%20color%20and%20texture.

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