Pear, Rosemary and Frangipane Cake

Serves 10

 

Ingredients
120g white sugar
120g brown sugar
110g self-raising flour
140g almond meal
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
240g softened butter – room
temperature
4 eggs beaten – room temperature
6 Winter Nelis pears peeled
and quartered
500g sugar
2 lemons zested and juiced
1 sprig of rosemary
1 vanilla bean cut in half
and seeds scraped out
Whipped cream to serve

Method
Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees.

Line a 22cm spring form cake tin with baking paper, making sure to leave at least 3cm of paper overhanging the top of the tin.

For the cake batter
Cream the butter and sugar and add the eggs one at a time. Fold in the almond meal, flour and chopped rosemary, being careful not to
over mix.

For the pears
Add sugar to a heavy based pan and cook to a light caramel. Add vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest and toss the pears until coated.
Cook for about five minutes.
Arrange pears in the bottom of the tin,s pour over batter and bake at 150 degrees for about 2 to 2½ hours or until cake skewer comes
out clean.
To serve, place a slice on a serving plate with a spoonful of softly whipped cream and a drizzle of any left over pear caramel.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

Pear-fect Solution for Kicking Winter to the Curb

 
Eating a pear a day could be a delicious secret to winding back the winter kilo creep and hitting the ground running this spring.

A CSIRO review of scientific research highlights pears as a standout for digestive health and fibre1, both essential to feeling light, energetic and at our best, according to dietitian, Rebecca Gawthorne.

Ms Gawthorne says it is the unique combination of nutrients in pears that promotes regularity and a healthy digestive system.

'The mix of fibre and naturally-occurring sugars in pears - sorbitol and fructose – helps to keep your digestive system healthy and prevent constipation," said Ms Gawthorne.

'It's such a powerful combination, that eating pears can provide a natural alternative to taking medication for the relief of constipation.

'But it's about much more than poo! A healthy digestive system and gut helps you feel great and boosts your energy levels – perfect for that extra little kick as you get back into exercise in spring. It also helps your body absorb nutrients from food and builds your immunity."

A pear's high fibre content (4.1g of fibre in one medium pear1) also makes it one of the highest fibre fruits available and a good snack option if you are looking to lose weight.

'Pears are an easy fibre fix, providing both soluble and insoluble fibre. As well as being great for digestive and gut health, the fibre hit helps to keep you feeling full for longer and that may be helpful if you are trying to stop or wind back winter weight gain," Ms Gawthorne said.

'I love adding pears to a smoothie for a post-workout snack, using them to top my morning oats or slicing them into my lunchtime salads. They are such a versatile fruit; it really is easy to make them a regular part of your diet. Pears are low GI, low allergenic, rich in protective plant compounds and contain potassium, magnesium and vitamin C.

'Just remember to eat them skin and all to gain all the goodness, as a lot of the antioxidants and phytochemicals are contained near or in the skin," she said.

Australian pears are grown around the country and are available from early autumn until late spring. There are eight varieties grown in Australia each with a unique flavour and cooking qualities.

For more information on Australian pears and recipe ideas check out: http://rediscoverthepear.com.au