Poached Pears with Green Tea and Lime

Serves 4 / This healthy treat is quick enough for weekday family dinners—and elegant enough for weekend dinner guests.

1/4 cup agave nectar or honey
1/4 cup brewed green tea
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime peel
2 firm, ripe pears, peeled, halved, and cored (such as Bosc)
4 teaspoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
Vanilla frozen yogurt (optional)

1. Combine agave or honey, tea, and lime juice in a medium saucepan; bring just to a boil. Stir in lime peel. Add pear halves. Cover and simmer 5 minutes, or until pears are tender. Serve warm or cold with poaching liquid, topped with crystallized ginger and frozen yogurt, if using.

This FUNctional Kitchen was provided by James Rouse, ND, and Debra Rouse, ND.

PER SERVING: 122 cal, 1% fat cal, 0g fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg chol, 0g protein, 33g carb, 3g fiber, 3mg sodium