Caramelized Cinnamon Pears

Perhaps, properly, this post should be entitled Caramelized Cinnamon Pears, Happy New Year, and the Tale of an Overgrown Burrito...

The past few days have been such a glorious whirlwind that I scarcely know where to begin! Perhaps I should start by noting how happy I am that Scott and Elise have generously allowed me to blog away on their computer, so I can share our adventures nearly in real time! After a much needed bit of sleeping-in on Monday morning (as we had stayed out until 3AM Sunday night; eeek!) and a cup of very dark coffee, we set off for our yearly holiday splurge tradition - burgers and chips at Judice Inn. One of the things I like about our Judice Inn treat is that their burgers are a traditional, "old-fashioned" size, much like the hamburgers my grandmother used to make, considered "small" by today's standards, and just the right size for a moderately portioned treat.

I'm not usually a huge potato chip fan, but for a total splurge experience it's impossible to resist the local Louisiana classic Zapp's Crawtators - spicy and insanely crunchy!

Following our splurge-worthy lunch on Monday, today we sought something equally festive but lighter - a black bean burrito on a whole wheat tortilla (complete with brown rice, grilled onions, and a bit of guacamole, of course). Rather than each ordering a small burrito, we decided to economize and share a single medium-sized burrito. Except... the lady composing our burrito at the lunch-style counter was a bit new at her position, for it was only when the manager came flying over, exclaiming "What are you doing?" that she or we noticed the mammoth size to which our "medium" burrito had mutated...

Suffice to say, the two of us were able to finish barely a third of just one half of the burrito, wrapping up the rest to tote home for several more delicious meals!

Rewinding time to Sunday night, though, while Zach and his cousin Ed were outside grilling a glorious collection of squashes and mushrooms, I was puttering about in Ed's kitchen in search of an idea of a speedy dessert... Behold, who knew canned pears could create such a gloriously caramelized sauce? Scarcely even a recipe, but oh so delicious, light, and enchantingly just a bit sweet without being cloying, these pears are also perfect for the uncomplicated, dreamy pace of vacation-holiday mode...

The pears are especially delightful atop my grandmother's 1-2-3-4 Cake...

Or, raptures of raptures, Scott's homemade French vanilla ice cream...

Ahhhh, vacation... and the blissful excitement of wedding planning... :-)

Happy New Year, Y'all!!

Caramelized Cinnamon Pears

1 T light, nonhydrogenated vegan margarine or butter

1 (29 oz) can pear halves in light syrup

2 T honey or agave syrup

1 T cinnamon

~ In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the vegan marg or butter. As soon as the melting is almost complete, pour in the pear halves with their syrup.

~ Bring the syrup to a simmer, while gently cutting the pear halves into quarters with a spatula.

~ Stir in the honey or agave and the cinnamon, and continue to simmer the pears, stirring constantly, until the syrup has reduced and thickened enough that it clings to the spoon.

~ Serve the pears warm, either by themselves, topped with a bit of whipped cream, or on top of cake or ice cream!

On the blog this time last year... Garlic Mashed Potatoes!