SWEETLY POACHED PEARS

1 (10 oz.) can tomato soup, undiluted 1 tsp. yellow mustard 1/2 c. vinegar 20 packets Equal

Cook carrots in covered pan in 1/2 inch of water, 8 minutes after boiling has started (so carrots are tender but still crunchy). Rinse in cold water to stop cooking. In bowl, alternate layers of vegetables. Sauce: Bring sauce ingredients to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Cool for a few minutes. Add 20 packets Equal. Put in blender and blend. Pour sauce over vegetables while still hot. Cool. Refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving. Will keep in refrigerator several weeks in a covered plastic container. To serve, use a slotted spoon.

SWEETLY POACHED PEARS

6 med. ripe pears (about 2 lbs.) 5 c. white, unsweetened grape juice 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1 inch whole cinnamon stick 1/4 c. golden raisins

Peel pears, leaving stems on. In a medium size pan, heat juices, vanilla bean, and cinnamon stick to a simmer. Add pears. Simmer 25 to 30 minutes, uncovered, turning pears occasionally, until tender when pierced with a knife. Remove pears with a slotted spoon. Reduce syrup 30 to 35 minutes to 1 1/2 cups. Strain.

Stir in raisins and cool syrup to room temperature. Serve pears in small glass compote bowls. Spoon raisins and syrup over and around pears. Serves 6. Per serving: 187 calories, 48 gm carbohydrates, 1 gm protein, trace fat, 3 gm sodium. Exchanges: 3 fruit. Cholesterol: 9 mg per serving.