Pears have a light and sweet flavor that makes them especially delicious in both sweet and savory dishes. If you’re a fan of these tasty fruits and want to find more creative things to do with pears, these five recipes can make dinner, dessert or a get-together with friends even more enjoyable. Don’t forget you can take pears with you on the go with our That’s It Fruit Bar Apples + Pears.

Pear Slices with Bleu Cheese and Bacon

Pears and bacon taste especially satisfactory together, and are the perfect combination of sweet and smoky flavors. For a delicious appetizer, cut Bartlett pears into slices. Be sure the slices are wide enough to hold a few crumbles of blue cheese. Wrap each pear slice in turkey bacon.

Place the pear pieces on a cookie sheet and preheat the oven to about 300 degrees. Drizzle the pear slices with a little olive oil and sprinkle with pepper. Place the appetizers in the oven for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors together before serving. The pear appetizers can be served raw as well.

Arugula and Pear Salad

This salad makes an ideal side dish and the sweetness of the pear compliments the earthy taste of arugula beautifully. Simply wash the arugula and sprinkle the greens with a combination of olive oil, lemon juice and fresh herbs. Cut the pears into small slices and mix with the arugula. Add feta cheese and pecans and toss. Use vinaigrette that includes flavors like pomegranate or champagne to add a tasty finishing touch to this simple and elegant salad.

Grilled Cheese with Pear and Bacon

A grilled cheese is a classic sandwich that tastes great with soups and salads. Use your favorite whole grain bread for this recipe. Melt a combination of butter and coconut oil in a skillet and create a sandwich with bread, Swiss or Monterey Jack cheese, thin pear slices and turkey bacon. Cook the sandwich on both sides until the bread is golden brown. Serve the sandwich with a soup that pairs well with pear, like potato or French onion.

Roasted Chicken with Pears and Potatoes

For a more creative take on chicken, add pears and potatoes for this roasted main course. Marinate chicken breasts and thighs in a combination of olive oil, lime juice, fresh herbs, white pepper and pear juice for anywhere from 45 minutes to overnight. Cut up vegetables like purple onion, fennel and chives and place them at the bottom of a roasting pan. Slice both red and green pears and add them to the veggies. Drizzle the pears and vegetables with olive oil and add the meat the roasting pan. Place in the oven for about 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve the dish with wild rice or the pear arugula salad listed above.

Baked Pears

For dessert, try these baked pears, which is low in carbohydrates and packed with flavor. Cut Asian or Bartlett pears in half and core them. Add a dollop of butter, a teaspoon of brown sugar, macadamia nuts and shredded coconut to each pear half. Drizzle the pears with a combination of rum, honey and vanilla extract.

Bake the pears for about 15 minutes, or until the fruit becomes soft in the middle. Remove the fruit from the oven, allow it to cool, and serve with vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream.

Each of these recipes is sure to impress your guests as well as your family members. Pears are also rich in fiber and vitamin C, so you’re providing substantial nutrition in each dish as well. Enjoy!

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