PEAR-POMEGRANATE PIE

Pear-Pomegranate Pie image

In this welcome departure from the traditional apple pie, a combination of Anjou and Bosc pears are caramelized in a mixture of pomegranate molasses and butter, then combined with a smaller portion of fresh, uncooked pears. The whole glorious mess is then dumped into an all-butter crust and baked until tender. The happy result is a pie that's soft and sweet, tangy and toothsome, and oh so good. (Don't let making your own pie crust intimidate you: our pie guide has everything you need to know.)

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield One 9-inch single pie, 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

4 Bosc pears (about 2 pounds), peeled and cored
4 Anjou pears (about 2 pounds), peeled and cored
6 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons tapioca
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
Flour, for dusting
Dough for 2 9-inch pie crusts (see recipe)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Quarter 6 pears. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, bring 3 tablespoons molasses to a boil. Let simmer about 2 minutes, until molasses thickens. Arrange half the quartered pears in a single layer in skillet. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons butter over pears. Cook, turning occasionally, until pears are well caramelized on all sides (but not cooked through), about 5 minutes.
Scrape pears and molasses into a bowl. Add tapioca and toss to combine. Repeat cooking process with remaining molasses, butter and quartered pears. Add second batch of pears to bowl; combine.
Thinly slice remaining pears and add to bowl. Stir in sugar, ginger and salt. On a lightly floured surface, roll out both crusts to 12-inch circles. Place one crust in 9-inch pie plate. Scrape pear filling into crust.
Cut remaining dough into strips about 1 inch thick. Top pie with strips, weaving them into a lattice. Crimp edges to seal. Place pie on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until crust is dark golden and pears are tender when pricked with a fork, about 45 minutes more. Let cool for 30 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 437, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 89 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 434 milligrams, Sugar 45 grams, TransFat 0 grams