Karen Anand's Simple Cooking series: recipe

It's fun hanging out with Karen Anand. She turns the tables by taking the editor out to dinner at Sakura, where the chef does incredible things with Kobe beef, and tries to impress her with a slightly unfortunate okra mousse. Her Simple Cooking series--Simple Cooking for the Desperate Housewife, Simple Cooking for the Sweet Tooth, Simple Cooking for the Single Person, Simple Cooking with Soups, Starters and Salads, and Simple Cooking for the Vegetarian Gourmet--seems to appeal to the new Indian palate.



From Karen Anand's Simple Cooking for the Vegetarian Gourmet:

Grilled Pears with Raisins:

1/3 cup seedless raisins
1/4 cup apple juice
a pinch of freshly ground black pepper
6 firm but ripe USA pears
4 tbsp butter, melted
Vegetable oil for brushing grill

In a small bowl, combine raisins, apple juice and pepper. Allow the raisins to marinate until ready to serve.

Peel pears and cut in half lengthwise. Use a paring knife or melon scoop to remove the core, leaving a small hole.

Arrange pears in a shallow dish and brush all over with melted butter.

Preheat grill to high when ready to serve.

Brush grill grate with vegetable oil. Place the pears, cut side up, in a single layer directly under the grill just until grill marks appear on them, about 3 minutes.

Brush pears with any remaining butter, turn over and grill until tender but firm, about 3-4 minutes longer.

Spoon soaked raisins over pears and serve warm.

Variation: Sprinkle pears with mixed spices (cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg) and serve with a dollop of your favourite ice cream.