This is entertaning at its very best. It is a make-ahead that is quick and easy. No gluten, for those of you who wish that,  and can be used with a triple cream cheese, candied nuts, or fresh fruit like grapes.

What you do need is a mandolin for slicing super thin under-ripe pears. You can coat them with a cinnamon-sugar mix and then bake or brush with maple syrup and bake, or just have them plain. Mix together strawberries and Cool Whip and use as a dip.

4-5 pears, sliced on a mandolin and spread out on parchment lined baking sheets. Oven should be pre-heated to 225 degrees and bake these for 2 1/2 hours.

Turn them over and bake until they start to darken in colour and the edges have curled but still pliable. (A further 1 – 1  1/2 hours)

Transfer to a wire rack and let stand until crisp. Store these in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Eat while watching TV or playing games………better than chocolate? ummmm, jury’s still out on that one. Enjoy.