Warm Pears with Brown Sugar and Toasted Sesame

Pear wedges simmer in brown sugar, ginger, and sesame oil, finished with toasted seeds over warm rice. This dessert echoes the rice-centered kitchens of Chinese railroad crews on the Sierra grade in Rice Bowls on the Summit Grade.

Serves 4

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Ingredients

• 4 medium ripe pears
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger
• 1/3 cup water
• pinch salt
• 2 cups cooked white rice

Instructions

1. 1Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly golden; set aside.
2. 2Peel, halve, and core pears; cut each half into 4 wedges.
3. 3In the same skillet combine brown sugar, water, grated ginger, and salt; bring to a simmer.
4. 4Add pear wedges and cook gently 8-10 minutes, turning once, until pears are tender and syrup has thickened slightly.
5. 5Remove from heat, stir in sesame oil, and spoon warm pears and syrup over small mounds of rice; sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds.