Baked Pears with Cardamom

 

This is a simple dessert but elegant, cooling, soothing, and hydrating. The trick for this dish is to select pears not too green, not too ripe. Ayurveda considers pears to have 7 properties that can balance all 3 doshas.

1. Cooling and Soothing:
Pears have a natural cooling effect on the body, making them excellent for calming excess heat and inflammation associated with Pitta dosha. They help soothe internal irritation, heartburn, and acidity.

2. Hydrating and Moistening:
Due to their high water content and sweet, juicy nature, pears are deeply hydrating and help alleviate dryness, which is beneficial for Vata dosha. They help lubricate and nourish tissues, promoting healthy skin and mucous membranes.

3. Gentle on Digestion:
Pears are light and easy to digest, especially when cooked. Cooked pears are gentle enough for those with weak digestion, young children, or the elderly. They can relieve constipation due to their fiber content and softening effect on the bowels.

4. Astringent and Toning:
Pears have a mild astringent quality (kashaya rasa), which helps tone tissues and reduce excess fluid or mucus in the body, supporting Kapha balance.

5. Sattvic Quality:
Pears are considered sattvic, meaning they promote clarity, calmness, and harmony in the mind and body. They are ideal for those seeking gentle nourishment and calm energy.

6. Antioxidant and Immune Support:
Rich in vitamins (such as vitamin C) and phytonutrients, pears support immunity, cellular health, and the body’s natural detoxification processes.

7. Versatile Preparation:
Pears can be enjoyed raw (when fully ripe and soft), but Ayurveda often recommends lightly cooking or stewing them with warming spices (like ginger, cinnamon, or cardamom) to further enhance digestibility and pacify Vata.

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Summary Table:

Cooling, soothing	↓ Pitta
Hydrating, moistening	↓ Vata
Gentle, astringent fiber	↓ Kapha (mild)
Sattvic, calming	Mind, Ojas
Antioxidant, immune	All doshas

Ingredients for 2    

½ tsp cardamom

2 pears, cut in 2

½ c water

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350oF.

2. Lay pears down on a baking dish.

3. Coat the bottom of the dish with water.

4. Sprinkle the pears with cardamom.

5. Bake until tender (about 30 minutes).

 

Note: You can substitute apples and cinnamon for pears and cardamom and add soaked dates, chopped.