Mixed Berry Crumble

This crumble is very versatile. Choose your filling based on the current season's fresh fruits.  

Via Creative Commons

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

Heat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, salt and zest. Add the melted butter and stir to mix. Reserve. Place the berries in a 2-quart baking dish, and sprinkle with sugar, arrowroot or cornstarch, and vanilla. Toss gently to coat, until well combined. Crumble the oat mixture over the berries in the dish. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the juices are thick and bubbly all the way around the dish. Let cool on a rack for 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestion

Vary the flavors by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the topping, or change the balance of berries in the mix. Substitute a gluten-free flour blend if you prefer. Serve this warm with a scoop of ice cream and you can't miss.

Authored by Robin Asbell. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop. 

Poached Pears

For such a delicious and elegant dessert, poached pears are amazingly simple to prepare.

Via Creative Commons

Ingredients

• 6 firm pears (not quite ripe),
• peeled with stems on
• 3 cups red wine
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
• 1 star anise
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation

1. Choose a cooking pot that will hold the pears snugly. Place red wine, water, and sugar in the pot. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot; add the pods along with star anise, honey, and lemon juice.

2. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved.

3. Add the peeled pears, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until pears are tender.

4. Remove the pears and continue simmering the liquid until it becomes thick and syrupy. Use this syrup to glaze the pears before serving.

Serving Suggestion

Serve pears warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraiche, if desired.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop