Citrus infused water

I have a confession to make. I don’t like water!!! There I said it. It’s not a good thing. I also try to avoid drinking my calories, which leaves me with a few options which I enjoy. In winter, it is not a big deal, I drink tea. However, on hot days my options are few. Recently I have been drinking fruit infused water. I would like to share with you my method for making it. Or rather, my philosophy behind making it, since it’s not really a recipe.

THE PHILOSOPHY:

I like to use lemons, oranges and limes or pink grapefruits, as well as ginger, mint or rosemary. There are no rules here, so just use what you have in the fridge, and feel like. Also use as much, or as little as you like. I like allot of Lemmon, but you may chose to skip it, or replace it by another fruit. It is all up to you, so use your creativity and enjoy the process as well as drinking it.

Have fun with it.

Enjoy and stay hydrated.

Maple Syrup Baked Pears

It really feels like summer is nearly over, though the weather is still gorgeous. We're now entering the harvest season! Pears, apples, and all the late-summer fruits are starting to appear. Have you been cooking or baking anything special with them? It’s the perfect time for pies, crisps, or even homemade jams. I must admit, I’m a little overwhelmed by the choices, but for now, I’ve chosen pears. I love them poached, but roasted they are just as good. I hope you enjoy my recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe but firm pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)

  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) for added crunch

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven:

    • Preheat your oven to 190°C.

  1. Prepare the Pears:

    • Wash and peel the pears, then slice them in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon or melon baller to remove the core and seeds.

  1. Arrange in Baking Dish:

    • Place the pear halves, cut side up in a baking dish.

  1. Make the Maple Syrup Mixture:

    • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract.

  1. Drizzle Over Pears:

    • Pour the maple syrup mixture evenly over the pear halves. If you're using chopped nuts, sprinkle them on top of the pears.

  1. Bake the Pears:

    • Bake the pears in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are tender and golden. Baste the pears with the syrup from the bottom of the baking dish halfway through cooking.

  1. Serve:

    • Remove the pears from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm, drizzled with the syrup from the baking dish. You can also serve these baked pears with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some vanilla yoghurt.

Enjoy your baked pears with maple syrup!