The countdown to Thanksgiving continues here in America. In households across the country people are planning their holiday feast: turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course, desserts. Yes, desserts—plural. At least in my house it is desserts, plural. Yes, there will gluten-free pumpkin pie as well as pecan pie and something chocolate. And always, always something with fruit.
I got to thinking about really celebrating the food of the season this year and decided what could be more perfect than a pear and cranberry crumble? Pears are really at their peak right now, juicy, lush, and sweet, and of course cranberries are ubiquitous around the holidays. Gluten-free, dairy-free, sweet, crunchy, and best of all, simple, this crumble is special enough for a Thanksgiving feast but easy and homey enough for a weeknight dinner. Kind of perfect, right?
What dessert(s) do you serve for your special feasts?
Pear Cranberry Almond Crumble
Ingredients
1/2 cup pear nectar or apple juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1/2 teaspoon plus one small pinch kosher or fine sea salt, use divided
Five medium pears, cored, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1-1/2 cups finely ground blanched almond flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup grapeseed oil (or other neutral tasting oil)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9- or 10-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pear nectar or apple juice, lemon juice, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, and a small pinch of salt. Add the pear slices and cranberries and gently toss. Pour into the prepared dish.
In another large mixing bowl combine the almond flour, brown sugar, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and sliced almonds. Add the vanilla and oil and stir with a fork until crumbly. Top the pears with the mixture. Cover with foil and bake for forty-five minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for ten to fifteen minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the juices are bubbly. Serve warm.
Serves eight.
