Loving the BITE: Cheese and Pear Sandwich

You know it’s Autumn when leaves begin to turn beautiful colors, the air becomes crisp and cool, and organic Pears are only $1.49 per pound at the grocery store.  This week, we’ll take full advantage of these prices and all the wonderful health benefits pears afford for health and cycling.

In fact, we have a pair of pear recipes for you:

Recipe of the week: Open-Face Cheese & Pear Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 slice fresh sourdough bread
• 1-2 oz. Swiss cheese
• 1 small ripe pear, sliced thinly
• 1 tsp honey
•  ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions: 

Turn oven to broil.  Once hot, toast sliced sourdough bread.  Place cheese on bread, then top with pear slices.  Drizzle with honey & sprinkle with cinnamon.  Return to broiler until cheese is melted and pears are lightly browned.  This recipe also makes a wonderful appetizer when served on smaller slices of bread.

Comments:

To some, this sandwich may seem a little fruity.  But why just go cheese, when you can go cheese and pear?  We all want the best for our bodies and demand a lot from them.  We need to stay healthy to stay cycling.  Just in time for cold season, pears provide nutrients that boost immune function and scavenge nasty free radicals.  Pears offer:

Antioxidants:  Both vitamin C and copper are strong antioxidants that can protect our cells and reduce the damage that occurs from free radicals.  In fact, they both play a part in improving immune function, killing bacteria and viruses, and promoting the function of other nutrients such as vitamin E.  Like grapes, the skin of pears also contain quercetin, a fierce antioxidant that reduces your risk of cancer, artery damage, and possibly Alzheimer’s while promoting high energy levels.  Three powerful antioxidants…and pears have ‘em.

Fiber:  Beyond healthy digestion and regularity, the fiber from pears promote healthy cholesterol levels, healthy blood sugars, a reduction in cancer risk, and improved immune function.  The health of your gut has direct implications on your overall health and immune system…so, if you want to stay cold-free and cycling this off-season, keep the fiber and the pears coming.

Bonus Recipe: Pear Sherbet

Ingredients:

• 2 large, ripe, fresh pears (preferably Bartlett)
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• 1/3 to ½ Cup dairy, coconut, or almond milk
• Honey (Optional)

Instructions:

Dice pears into ½” cubes.  Spread in a single layer on foil lined tray or baking sheet.  Quick-freeze, uncovered, in freezer for about 1 – 1 ½ hours.  Place frozen pear cubes in blender with cinnamon.  Adding milk, a little at a time, blend quickly.  Add honey to taste, and finish blending until resembles soft serve custard.  Serve immediately.

As the temperatures begin to drop, stay healthy by choosing whole foods and whole nutrition from fruits like pears.  Make room for them in Daily Nutrition and as the carbohydrate and antioxidant component in a recovery snack (pear smoothie, anyone?).  Then, cycle on my friend, cycle on.

Fuel Your Ride.  Nourish Your Body. 

Tags: Cheese and Pear Sandwich