Mediterranean Recipe
Yogurt with Fresh Pears and Walnuts
SERVES 4
By: Tamara Holt | Source: NRTA Live & Learn | THURSDAY, April 9, 2009
Guest chefs Michael Psilakis (right) and Zack Miller of New York City's Anthos restaurant, in the Blue Room at the White House, where they prepared food for guests attending the Greek Independence Day ceremony, March 2009. (White House Photo/ Joyce N. Boghosian)
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From the White House to Your House
Michael Psilakis on what it was like to cook for President Obama at the White House.
In case you couldn't be there: A cookbook is in the works. How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking, with Barbara Kafka, is due out in October, 2009, from Little, Brown.
MICHAEL PSILAKIS IS GETTING GREEK CUISINE its rightful place on the culinary map: Named a Food & Wine magazine Best New Chef, and Bon Appetit’s and Esquire magazine's Chef of the Year, Psilakis recently was invited to the White House, where he cooked for President Obama and his guests. This recipe from Psilakis's forthcoming cookbook turns the Mediterranean attitude into a great way to end a meal. Pears can be enjoyed in this preparation even when they are not at the peak of ripeness. The little bit of cooking adds sweetness and creates a tender bite. You can use low- or non-fat Greek yogurt for this recipe as well. It is rich and creamy even without the fat.
½ cup walnut halves
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
4 peppercorns
2 pears, peeled, cored, and cut in chunks
2 cups Greek yogurt *
1. In a 300 degree oven, toast the walnuts until aromatic, about 5 minutes. Chop coarsely, set aside.
2. Place water, sugar, spices, and pear into a saucepan and boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for approximately 10 minutes, until the pear is tender.
3. Scoop ½ cup of yogurt into a bowl and top with pear and sprinkle with some of the cooking liquid. Top with crushed walnuts.
* If you can’t get good Greek yogurt, you can always strain regular yogurt overnight in cheesecloth or a kitchen towel to achieve the same thick, mousse-like texture.
Watch for new stories every Thursday in Live & Learn, NRTA's publication for the AARP educator community: Celebrating learning as a creative lifestyle.
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