Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts

Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts Recipe - USA

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

This Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts recipe is a delicious and nutritious dessert that combines the flavors of sweet pears, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts. It is the perfect dish to enjoy during the fall and winter months when pears and cranberries are in season.

History

This recipe is a modern twist on the classic fruit crisp, which has been a popular dessert for centuries. Fruit crisps originated in England and were traditionally made with a crumbly topping of flour, sugar, and butter baked over a layer of sweetened fruit. This version of the crisp adds cooked brown rice for a unique and nutritious twist.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups diced peeled pears
1 cup fresh or frozen chopped cranberries
0.5 cup packed brown sugar, divided
0.33 cup flour, divided
vegetable cooking spray
0.25 cup rolled oats
3 tbsp butter or margarine
0.5 cup walnuts, chopped
0.25 cup flaked coconut

How to prepare

Combine rice, pears, cranberries, 0.33 cup of sugar, and 2 tbsp of flour.
Place the rice mixture in a 2 qt (1.89 liter) baking dish coated with cooking spray; set it aside.
Combine the remaining flour, remaining sugar, and oats in a bowl.
Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
Add walnuts and coconut; blend well. Sprinkle the mixture over the rice mixture.
Bake at 375°F (191°C) for 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve warm.

Variations

Substitute the pears with apples or peaches for a different flavor profile.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the topping mixture for a warm and cozy spice.
Use almonds or pecans instead of walnuts for a different nutty flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to use ripe pears for the best flavor and texture in this recipe.

- If you don't have cooked brown rice on hand, you can use leftover rice or cook a fresh batch according to package instructions.

- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to the topping mixture.

- Serve this crisp warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts warm as a delicious dessert after a cozy fall or winter meal. It pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to cook the brown rice according to package instructions before adding it to the crisp mixture.

- Use a pastry blender or two knives to cut in the butter for the topping until it resembles coarse meal.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use gluten-free flour and oats to make this recipe gluten-free.

- Substitute coconut oil for the margarine for a dairy-free option.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the crisp mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Simply sprinkle the topping over the rice mixture and bake as directed when ready to serve.

Presentation Ideas

Serve this Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts in individual ramekins for a cute and elegant presentation. Top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra special touch.

Pairing Recommendations

This crisp pairs well with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a cozy dessert experience. It also goes well with a glass of sweet dessert wine or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of this Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

290

Carbohydrates

- Total Carbohydrates: 45g

- Dietary Fiber: 4g

- Sugars: 20g

Fats

- Total Fat: 10g

- Saturated Fat: 3g

- Trans Fat: 0g

Proteins

- Protein: 4g

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin C: 6% DV

- Vitamin A: 2% DV

- Calcium: 4% DV

- Iron: 6% DV

Alergens

Contains: Tree nuts (walnuts), wheat

Summary

This Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts is a nutritious dessert option that is high in carbohydrates and healthy fats. It also provides a good source of dietary fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

This Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts is a delicious and nutritious dessert that is perfect for the fall and winter months. With a crunchy topping of oats, walnuts, and coconut over a sweet and tart fruit mixture, this crisp is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent treat.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was immediately captivated. It was a sunny afternoon, and I was browsing through an old cookbook that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother. As I turned the pages, a picture of a delicious looking Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts caught my eye. The combination of sweet pears, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts seemed like the perfect blend of flavors and textures.

I couldn't wait to try it out, so I gathered the ingredients and set to work in the kitchen. The recipe was surprisingly simple, but the end result was nothing short of spectacular. The pears and cranberries melded together beautifully, creating a sweet and tangy filling that was perfectly complemented by the crisp topping of oats, walnuts, and brown sugar.

As I took my first bite, I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my repertoire. It was a dish that was sure to impress both family and friends, and I couldn't wait to share it with them.

But the story of how I learned to make this Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts goes back further than that sunny afternoon in my kitchen. It goes back to my childhood, when I would spend hours watching my own grandmother cook in her cozy kitchen.

My grandmother was a talented cook who had a knack for creating delicious dishes out of the simplest ingredients. She had a collection of recipes that she had gathered from various places and people over the years, and she always seemed to know just the right dish to make for any occasion.

One day, as I sat at her kitchen table watching her peel and slice a pear for a crisp she was making, I asked her how she had learned to cook. She smiled and told me a story that I would never forget.

She explained that she had grown up in a small village in the countryside, where fresh ingredients were plentiful and cooking was a way of life. Her own grandmother had taught her how to cook, passing down recipes that had been in the family for generations.

One of those recipes was for a Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts. It was a dish that her grandmother had learned from a neighbor who had immigrated from a distant land and brought with her a love for all things sweet and tart.

My grandmother told me that she had watched her own grandmother make the crisp countless times, carefully measuring out the ingredients and mixing them together with a practiced hand. She had learned to trust her instincts in the kitchen, adding a little more of this or a little less of that until the flavors were just right.

As she finished telling me the story, my grandmother handed me a piece of the Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts that she had just made. I took a bite and savored the flavors, feeling a connection to my family's past through the simple act of eating a delicious dessert.

From that day on, I made it a point to learn as much as I could from my grandmother in the kitchen. I watched her cook, asked her questions, and tried my hand at making some of her most beloved recipes.

And so, the recipe for Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts became a part of my own repertoire. It was a dish that brought back memories of my grandmother and her love for cooking, and it was a dish that I knew would continue to be passed down through the generations.

As I sit here now, writing this story and thinking back on all the times I have made this crisp for my own family, I can't help but feel grateful for the lessons that my grandmother taught me in the kitchen. She may no longer be with us, but her spirit lives on in every dish that I make, including this Pear-fect Cranberry Crisp with Walnuts.