Strawberry-Pear Sauce

While dining alone during most of the workweek, I've had the opportunity to discover a variety of quirky culinary preferences I never knew I possessed. For example, this week revealed a strange flavor pairing - I became enamored with steamed green beans dipped in ketchup. I know, a little weird. And totally not gourmet. In my defense I did dress up the ketchup with freshly ground black pepper and lots of sriracha, but still, I know. It's ketchup. With green beans. The strange thing is, I wasn't even trying to satisfy a French fry craving or something remotely analogous, for I don't even like French fries. Several of my friends have semi-jokingly accused me of simply pretending to dislike French fries in order to sound health-food snobby, but in reality, it's true - I've never been a huge fan of French fries. Oven roasted sweet potato "fries," oh yes please... but the poor ubiquitous French fry, not so much! Go figure. Rest assured, I am unashamedly fond of various other not-quite-health-foods, such as ice cream and fried okra, but for whatever atypical reason, I confess: "My name is Astra, and I don't really like French fries, but I do like green beans and ketchup!"

What I also adore, much less strangely, is homemade applesauce... Ever since my college roomie Lisa and I made our first batch of applesauce in our dorm-room's tiny microwave, homemade fruit-sauces always sing to me of a taste of home in distant lands.

I am equally fond of the natural precursor to homemade applesauce, namely, over-ripe fruit sales! While wandering contentedly in the produce section of our neighborhood grocery last week, I happened upon a lovely package of very ripe pears for only $1! Some I destined for the freezer and future pear-sauces, and three remaining pears were happily merged with a bountiful supply of frozen strawberries for a cheerful, pink, not-quite-applesauce! Zach ooohed and aaahhed over the strawberry-pear sauce we savored for dessert last weekend, and I gave him a big tupperware-full for breakfasts at his clinical rotations this week... I love desserts that are truly healthy enough to have for breakfast!

Now if only I could receive equally rapturous reviews for my green beans and ketchup combination...

Strawberry-Pear Sauce

1 T light, vegan margarine (such as SmartBalance Light) or butter
3 very ripe pears, cut into 1" pieces
5 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen

~ In a large pot over medium heat, cook the pears in the vegan marg or butter until the pears become very soft.
~ Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir in the strawberries, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to have quite a bit more liquid.
~ Bring the mixture to a simmer, then allow the strawberries and pears to simmer over low heat until the fruits have completely broken down and some of the liquid has reduced to the desired thickness.
~ Serve warm or cold, by itself for breakfast or with ice cream or whipped cream for dessert!