Lunch: Vanilla-Poached Pears

Poaching fruit is a great way to infuse flavor without adding fat. Ripe pears stew in vanilla and cinnamon until tender and are then paired with tangy crème frâiche. A drizzle of agave nectar adds a final touch of sweetness to this simple fruit dessert th

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon, Agave

Health and fertility benefits of Vanilla-Poached Pears

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Agave has a low glycemic index (GI) of 17.

Ingredients

4 ripe pears, peeled and cored
4 cups water
3 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons light agave nectar
1 cinnamon stick
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup Splenda or sugar substitute
4 Tablespoons crème frâiche

Instructions

Combine the water, vanilla extract, agave nectar, cinnamon stick, lemon zest and Splenda in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Cut a thin slice from the bottom of the peeled, cored pears (this will help them stand) and then place them in the saucepan.
Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until pears are tender.
Remove the poached pears and let them cool before.
Serving each pear with one tablespoon of crème frâiche and drizzle of agave nectar.

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