Maple-Sauced Pears PREP: 10 min; COOK: High 2 to 2 1/2 hr; FINISH: High 10 min For an elegant dessert, place each pear upright on a pretty dessert plate. Spoon the sauce around the pear, and sprinkle with chopped toasted nuts or coconut. Spoon a big dollop of soft whipped cream alongside the pear, and garnish the plate with a twisted orange slice. 6 pears 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup maple-flavored syrup 1 tablespoon margarine or butter, melted 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons orange juice 1. Peel pears. Core pears from bottom, leaving stems attached. Place pears upright in 3 1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker. 2. Mix remaining ingredients except cornstarch and orange juice; pour over pears. 3. Cover and cook on high heat setting 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until tender. 4. Remove pears from cooker; place upright in serving dish or individual dessert dishes. 5. Mix cornstarch and orange juice; stir into sauce in cooker. Cover and cook on high heat setting about 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Spoon sauce over pears. Makes 6 servings For a honey of a pear, use 1/4 cup honey instead of the maple syrup for a sweet change of pace. Nutritional Info per 1 Serving: 225 calories (25 calories from fat); 3 g fat (0 g saturated); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 52 g carbohydrate (3 g dietary fiber); 1 g protein. ____________________________________________________________ This recipe courtesy of Back of the Box Recipes. www.backofthebox.com Home Page This recipe displayed with permission from General Mills, Inc.