Pears for little people

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

By making eating healthy foods fun.

PearBear, a whimsical character with a passion for pears, was created to do just that. Through PearBear's humorous adventures, kids get interested and excited about incorporating more fruits and vegetables in their daily diets. Created by the Oregon Washington California Pear Bureau, PearBear is based on the reall black-brown bears native to the states where pears are produced.

According to PearBear, pears are not only fun to eat, they pack powerful nutrition in every bite. One medium pear is a great source of vitamin C, potassium and especially fiber, with only one gram of fat -- and practically no sodium. Incredibly sweet and juicy, pears quickly become popular with the tiny finger-food crowd.

Here are some delightful, easy-to-prepare recipe suggestions from PearBear's Pantry. Used in cooking, pears give recipes added moistness and delicious flavor.

PearBear's Breakfast Souffle

2 Tbs margarine

5 slices white bread, cut in half

3 eggs, beaten

1 c. evaporated, skimmed milk

2 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Dash salt

2 Bartlett pears, pared, cored and sliced

Lemon juice

4 oz low-fat sausage, cooked and drained

1/4 c. shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese

Spread half of margarine on one side of each slice of bread; place spread-side down in bottom of 8-inch square baking dish. Spread remaining margarine on tops of bread. With sharp knife, cut bread into 1-inch squares. Combine eggs, milk, sugar, nutmeg and salt; pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Dip pears in lemon juice to retard discoloration. Top bread mixture with layer of sausage, then with sliced pears. Bake at 325 degrees 45 to 55 minutes or until bread mixture sets. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts. Serves 4.

Per serving: 409 calories, 22 gm protein, 17 gm fat, 43 gm carbohydrates, 189 mg cholesterol, 645 mg sodium.

Picnic Blankets

1 medium pear, cored and cut into 8 wedges

Lemon juice

8 thin slices cooked turkey or lean ham

2 Tbs cranberry sauce

Dip pear wedges in lemon juice. Spread each slice of turkey or ham with cranberry sauce. Wrap each pear wedge in turkey or ham. Makes 8 snack servings.

Per serving: 52 calories, 7 gm protein. 1 gm fat, 5 gm carbohydrates, 11 mg cholesterol, 408 mg sodium.

Secret Surprise Cake

1 (18-oz) pkg chocolate cake mix

2 medium pears, cored and sliced

1/4 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. margarine

Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Press sliced pears into batter. Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon; cut in margarine. Sprinkle mixture over pears. Bake at 350 degrees 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Serve warm or cold. Serves 12.

Per serving: 407 calories, 5 gm protein, 15 gm fat, 69 gm carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol, 293 mg sodium.

Bunny Hop Salad

1 medium pear, cored and halved

Lemon juice

4 raisins

2 large almonds, split

12 thin strips carrot

Miniature marshmallows

Dip cut side of pears in lemon juice. Place pear halves on serving plate, cut side down. Decorate top end of each half with 2 raisins for eyes, almonds for ears, 6 carrot strips for whiskers and miniature marshmallows for nose and tail. Makes 2 servings.

Per serving: 95 calories, 1 gm protein, 2 gm fat, 20 gm carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol, 4 mg sodium.

PearBear's After School Snack

1 medium pear, cored and quartered

2 Tbs peanut butter or prepared cream cheese spread

Spread cut sides of pear with peanut butter or cheese spread. Pear may be spread, put together, wrapped in plastic wrap and packed for lunch or snack. Makes 2 servings.

Per serving: 143 calories, 4 gm protein, 8 gm fat, 16 gm carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol, 77 mg sodium.

Mountaintop Pear Bowls

1 medium pear, cored and halved

2 medium scoops fruit-flavored sherbet

Scoop out center of pear halves, leaving at least a half-inch on all sides. Fill centers with medium scoops of sherbet. Serves 2.

Per serving: 184 calories, 4 gm protein, 2 gm fat, 42 gm carbohydrates, 7 mg cholesterol, 44 mg sodium.

The PearBear Chronicles

A series of children's booklets featuring PearBear along with a colorful PearBear poster are great ways for adults to teach kids about good nutrition. To obtain a booklet and poster package, send $1.50 plus a cash-register receipt showing the purchase of three pounds of pears to: Oregon Washington California Pear Bureau, Dept. EC, 813 SW Alder, Suite 601, Portland OR 97205. Make checks payable to the Oregon Washington California Pear Bureau.

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