Double Pear Crisp

A take-off from the apple crisp we all love. This recipe tastes great, and is featured in the cookbook Sundays at The Moosewood Restaurant.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  ounces dried pear halves
• 1  cup  pear juice (bottled or canned)
• 4  cups  chopped fresh pears (4-5 medium pears)
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup light brown sugar
• 2  cups rolled oats
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
•  ice cream or   whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut out and discard stems and cores from dried pears.
3. Chop into 1/2-inch pieces to yield about 1 cup.
4. In a small saucepan, bring the dried pear pieces and pear juice to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and simmer until the pears are tender, about 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, core the fresh pears, chop into bite-sized pieces and place them in a 1-1/2-quart or 8-inch square baking dish.
7. Melt butter in large saucepan and remove it from the heat.
8. Add the brown sugar, oats, cinnamon and nutmeg.
9. Stir to coat the oats evenly.
10. When the dried pears are tender, pour them with their cooking liquid over the fresh pears in the baking dish.
11. Top with the oat mixture.
12. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until topping is crisp and brown.
13. Serve warm with optional ice cream or whipped cream.