PEAR CRISPS WITH DRIED SOUR CHERRIES

Pear Crisps with Dried Sour Cherries image

Provided by Claudia Fleming

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup dried sour cherries
Water or fruity red wine, such as a Zinfandel, to cover
8 ripe pears, (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced (5 cups)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon coarsely ground almonds, toasted
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

Steps:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the cherries with enough water or wine (or a combination) to cover them by 2 inches. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then turn off the heat and let cool. Let the cherries soak overnight in the refrigerator, or for at least 8 hours, until they are plump and soft. Drain the cherries, reserving the juices.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pears, drained cherries, and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and toss well. Mix in 1/2 of the cherry soaking liquid, or whatever cherry soaking liquid is left plus enough water to make 1/2 cup. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, the flour, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly drizzle in the butter and stir with a fork until the mixture is crumbly and all the flour is incorporated. Do not allow the mixture to come together in a ball. Break up any large crumbs with your fingers. The crumbs should be smaller than 1 inch in size (otherwise they won't cook all the way through).
4. Spoon the fruit into eight 8-ounce ramekins and place them on a baking sheet. Evenly sprinkle the crumbs on top of the fruit. Bake the crisps until the filling is bubbling and the topping is browned, about 40 minutes. Serve hot or warm.