Eaten at the peak of ripeness, the pear is sweet and succulent. Under ripe or over ripe, the fruit will be less satisfactory. Pears can be cooked by baking, saut ing or poaching. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg or allspice make warm pears especially tasty. Pears saut ed in a sweetened fruit juice, such as orange juice, makes a nice topping for frozen yogurt or plain yogurt.
Plums are especially colorful and can make an attractive salad.
Or they can be made into a puree and added to desserts, such as cakes, custards or frozen desserts. They can also be baked or poached. Pears with Yogurt Sauce Serves 4. Combine vanilla yogurt and the next three ingredients in a bowl, stir well. Cover and chill.