Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. She earned her Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee and has a research background in maternal and child health nutrition and public health, as well as a Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.
Spiced Brown Sugar Baked Pears with Cardamom Yogurt
Serving Amount
Ingredients
2 pears, preferably Bartlett
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp ground cardamom, divided
2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt
1 cup Greek yogurt, 2-5% milkfat
2 tsp honey
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2
Halve pears and remove the core, leaving skin and stem on. Place in baking cut-side up in a baking dish.
Step 3
In a bowl, thoroughly combine melted butter, brown sugar, honey, 1 tsp vanilla extract (save the other half for the yogurt), 1 tsp cardamon (save the rest for the yogurt), other baking spices, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Pour and brush the mixture over the pears and flip cut-side down. Bake for 30 minutes, or until tender (this depends on the tenderness of the raw pear). Flip the pears cut-side up, and bake for 5 minutes, or until tops caramelize. Reserve the liquid mixture at the bottom of the baking dish.
Step 4
While the pears are baking, prepare the yogurt. Thoroughly combine Greek yogurt with honey, and the remaining vanilla extract and cardamom.
Step 5
To serve, spread ¼ cup Greek yogurt on a plate. Place a pear half on top. Drizzle reserved liquid mixture on top for extra flavor.
