Steamed Pears
Brushing the peeled pears with lemon juice helps prevent them from browning. Be sure to use a firm pear (such as Bartlett) that is not overripe.
Serves 4
Preparation time: 7–10 minutes
Cooking time: 5–10 minutes
4 Bartlett pears
4 tablespoons liquid honey
3 tablespoons golden raisins
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Peel and core the pears.
In a small bowl, stir together the honey, raisins, and ground cinnamon.
Stand the pears in a deep-sided, microwave-safe casserole dish. Brush the pears with the lemon juice. Carefully spoon the honey mixture into the core of each pear.
Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap
Microwave the pears on high heat for 5 minutes. Give the dish a quarter turn and then microwave for 1 minute at a time until the pears are cooked through (they should be tender and easy to pierce with a fork).
How Does a Microwave Work?
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves that operate within the same frequency as radio waves. When the microwaves hit the food, they cause water molecules in the food to jiggle and vibrate. This molecular movement creates the heat that cooks the food. The need for water molecules to create heat means that it's best to stick with foods with a high liquid content.
