Pear Crisp - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. ripe pears (4 to 6)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3/4 c. dried cherries, blueberries or raisins
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
2/3 c. all purpose flour
2/3 c. rolled oats
2/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground all spice or nutmeg
Vanilla ice cream, creme fraiche or whipped cream (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375\u00b0.
Half and core pears; slice about 1/2 inch thick.
Toss with lemon juice.
Combine pears and dried fruit in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or shallow casserole of similar size. In a medium bowl, mix butter and flour with a fork or your fingers until crumbly.
Mix in rolled oats, brown sugar, nuts and spices.
Sprinkle mixture evenly over fruit and press down lightly.
Bake 20 - 25 minutes until pears are tender.
(Check with the tip of a sharp knife or a pick.)
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, creme fraiche or whipped cream, if desired.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.