Microwave SPICED PEAR SAUCE
4-5 fresh pears ~ cut into small cubes (about 1/2")
about 2-3 tsp. sweetener (I used agave ~ honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, Splenda are all fine)
1 TB liquid (apple juice or cider, water ~ I used SPICED RUM)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (I omitted this since I was using Spiced Rum)
1 tsp. Fruit Fresh (near the canning supplies or possibly near the gelatin at the grocery store ~ this keeps the pears from turning color ~ lemon juice works too, but flavors the pears)
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Put the pear cubes into a small microwave-proof casserole dish. Drizzle the sweetener and liquid over the pears; then sprinkle the Fruit Fresh and cinnamon over them. Mix them up with a spoon so everything is mixed well.
Cover and microwave for about 8-9 minutes, or until the pears are all nice & soft. Uncover and mash them up (I used a potato masher). They'll thicken up a little as they set.
You can serve them hot, cold or room temperature. It will keep for days in the refrigerator (just like fresh applesauce).