Pittsburgh Public School students learn about nutrition during National School Breakfast Week

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It’s National School Breakfast Week, and at Pittsburgh Minadeo, students are getting a lesson in nutrition.

On Tuesday the pre-5 and kindergarten students taste-tested a new breakfast fruit recipe prepared by food service employees at the school.

It’s made of canned and fresh pears, topped with homemade granola and whipped cream, all created by Pittsburgh Public School’s Chef Missy. It’s called Chef Missy’s Pear Bake.

“It’s a national movement to get our kids eating better, eating healthier and showing them that it can be done and it doesn’t have to be nasty,” Chef Missy said about National School Breakfast Week.

PPS is celebrating the initiative all week, partnering with Alliance for a Healthier Generation, UPMC Children’s Hospital and Del Monte Foods to highlight the importance of healthy eating.

“What we know is that when children start with a nutritious meal, breakfast at school, it’s guaranteed to be good food, good nutrition, that they engage more in school. They are more connected in the classroom,” said Kathy Higgins, CEO of Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Pittsburgh Minadeo got feedback from the students — to decide if the pear bake will be served again. It looks like the bake was a hit, the survey came back with an 84% acceptance rate.

“What better way than to show children that Del Monte Foods are good for you, but taste really good. So that’s what’s really exciting about today,” said John Fusco, director at Del Monte Foods.

If you want to make Chef Missy’s Pear Bake — take a look at the recipe below.

Ingredients for the filling

  • 1 can Del Monte pears (drained thoroughly)
  • 4 peeled, cored, sliced Granny Smith Apples
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter

Ingredients for the granola

  • 1/2 can rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
  • OPTIONAL: Walnuts or pecans

Directions

  • Mix all ingredients for the filling and bake at 350 degrees until it’s the consistency of a pie filling.
  • Mix all ingredients for the granola and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Stir every five minutes.
  • Top filling with granola and serve

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