"Pear" it with Lunch!

Guest Blogger, Danielle, Child Nutrition Intern at Hunger Free Vermont

School nutrition programs have so much potential to be further integrated into the education system, and Vermont schools are on the right track toward doing just this. Through programs like the Fresh Fruit and Veggie program, after school meals and school breakfast, educators across the state are thinking up new ways to promote healthy eating and nutrition education. Vermont is known for having a strong local food movement, and many schools already incorporate produce from their school garden or local farms into the lunch menu. Additionally, the new USDA guidelines for school meals are pushing food service directors and cooks to be creative while balancing the finicky tastes of young students.

This is where the "secret ingredient," a pear, comes in! Pears are a delicious fall fruit and one of my favorite recipes to include pears in is a simple grilled cheese sandwich. What better way is there to promote eating fruit in school than to “pear” this fall treat with some Vermont cheddar!? An easy side that could also be served with this cheesy sandwich to make it a more balanced meal is a green salad, possibly even with lettuce from the school garden or from a farm nearby. Although pears are a pretty common fruit in Vermont, the day before serving the pear grilled cheeses, the school lunch program could have a pear tasting at some point during the day to introduce the ingredient to the kids and get them all excited for tomorrow's lunch. 

Ingredients (this recipe makes 2 sandwiches)

·  1 ripe pear, cored and sliced

·  2 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced or shredded (use 4 oz. for extra cheesy sandwiches)

·  1 tbsp. butter, softened

·  4 slices bread

Instructions

1.     Heat a griddle or skillet on medium-high heat. Butter two slices of bread on one side; place buttered side down onto the skillet. Top bread with pear slices and cheese. Butter remaining bread slices and place them on top of the sandwiches, butter side up.

2.     Cook until bottom of sandwich is browned, 3-5 minutes. Flip over and cook 3-5 minutes more.

3.     Enjoy!