Maple Caramelized Pears Stuffed with Walnuts

HomeClinics & ProgramsELLICSR KitchenMaple Caramelized Pears Stuffed with Walnuts

Skill Level	Intermediate

Preparation Time	15 minutes	Total Time	30 minutes
Servings	8	Cost Per Serving	$1.10

4	Pears (very ripe)
2 tbsp	Maple Syrup
2 tbsp	Whole Flax
1/2 cup	Walnuts
1	Vanilla Pod (or 1 tsp Vanilla Extract)
1/2 cup	Ricotta Cheese
1/2 tsp each	Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Slice pears in half and remove the core and seeds with a spoon, leaving a small indent for the stuffing.
In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp of maple syrup and heat until it begins to bubble.
Place pears cut side down into the pan and sauté until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Carefully remove from pan to cool slightly.
In a food processor, pulse the flax seeds to break them down. Add walnuts and spices and pulse until nuts have broken into smaller pieces but not into a flour. Set aside.
Add the contents of the vanilla pod to the ricotta and stir well.
Add about 1/2 a tbsp. of ricotta into the indent of the pear and top with about 1 tsp of walnut and flax mixture.
Place pears in a baking dish with stuffing side up and drizzle another tbsp of maple syrup over top. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for maple caramelized pears stuffed with walnuts

Flax, hemp and chia seeds are good sources of protein and fibre, which may help you feel full longer and control your weight.
There are vegetarian sources of omega-3s. Walnuts, canola and soybean oil and seeds such as flax, pumpkin, hemp and chia are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the vegetarian form of omega-3. However, we do not yet know if ALA provides the same heart-health benefits as the omega-3s found in fish.