Goji Berry Recipe: Goji-Ginger Almond Pears

This sweet treat combines pears, goji berries, and ginger into a surprisingly healthy dessert that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying. Pears are a delicious metabolism booster. Anjou, bartlett, and bosc pears taste excellent and work especially well. A tip – pears are best picked a little underripe and stored in a paper bag for a few days to ripen. Adding an apple or banana to the bag helps speed the ripening process.

Ginger has a reputation as a remedy for all sorts of ailments. Upset stomach^[1], migraines^[2], muscle aches^[3] – it seems there isn't much it can't handle. It also helps maintain healthy blood pressure^[4] and blood sugar levels.^[5]

Of course, we can't forget about the goji berries – a superfood with many health benefits.

One note about the recipe… I prefer arrowroot over cornstarch as a sauce thickener. It makes for a nicer sauce and it's easier to digest, although a little harder to find. You can substitute cornstarch if you have difficulties locating arrowroot.

Goji-Ginger Almond Pears

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Serves: 6

Equipment

• Peeler
• Knife
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Small bowl

Ingredients

• 5 firm, ripe, organic pears
• 3 cups organic apple cider
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh, organic ginger root
• 3 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon organic almond extract
• 3 heaping tablespoons dried goji berries
• Himalayan crystal salt to taste

Instructions

1. Place goji berries in small bowl and cover with hot water. Allow to rehydrate for 5 minutes, then drain.
2. Peel the pears, quarter them lengthwise, and core.
3. Slice pears thinly and place in a saucepan with the apple cider and ginger root.
4. Add a pinch of salt.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until pears are tender, about 15 minutes.
6. Dissolve arrowroot or cornstarch in 1/3 cup cold water and add to the simmering pears, stirring, until the sauce is thick and clear.
7. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Sprinkle goji berries on top. Serve warm or cold.