Our Field Goods delivery last week brought us Asian Pears. I bought an Asian Pear one time just to see what it was like and it is kind of a cross between an apple and a pear. Juicy, but firm. Great for salads and baking. This time I was in the mood to do something different and came up with this Gingered Asian Pear Crostada!
I know I am going to make it sound like we live in the wilderness like my friend Pam from Living Rancho Deluxe right now. Really, we don't! However, when I get home from work, I am not in the mood to run to the store just to get something I don't have. I'd rather wait until I have to leave the house for work again before I do that. I'm big on saving miles and gas.
So, when I was trying to figure out what to do with these pears, at first I was thinking pie. You know. The two crusted variety. I am lazy though and I hate making pie crust. I also don't normally have ready made pie crust in my fridge but just happened to have 1 circle left over from the box I bought to make Justin his Coconut Cream Pie when he visited a few weeks ago.
That was when it hit me, I could make a Crostada! I think ginger goes really well with pears and I knew I had some candied ginger in my pantry. Hence, the Gingered Asian Pear Crostada was born. It was our breakfast. Yup. Pie. For breakfast. Not a horrible thing really. After all, people eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast and there is less fruit in them!
Gingered Asian Pear Crostada
By Shelby Law Ruttan
Firm but juicy Asian Pears paired with candied ginger bring out a flavor that is irresistible! Drizzle with a little bit of caramel to make this an extra special dessert!
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss together pears, sugar, flour cinnamon, candied ginger, vanilla extract and salt.
Roll out pastry round to enlarge to about 9 inches round.
Place pear mixture in center of round and pull sides of crust up towards the center to cover.
Spray top of crust with butter spray and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes, or until crust has browned. Serve drizzled with caramel sauce if desired.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 15 mins.
