Saturday, November 5, 2011

Everything's Coming Up Crumble

The irony's not lost on me that, no sooner do I post about body change borne of moderation, I am compelled to bake.

I just had to use up some gorgeous, peaking pears sitting in a bowl on my counter top. Sure, I could have sliced them into a salad but seriously, is that as fun as making pear pistachio crumble?!

I haven't capitalized the recipe name because it's not technically a recipe. It's the outcome of my style of cooking: great ingredients, good materials, a modicum of experience and a pragmatic nature.

To wit:

Here they are, pre-baking... So horrified to show you the world's most beat up cookie sheet. But it still works, so what's an environmentally friendly cook to do?

These tarts are simple. I had 3 pears (each one got its own tart ramekin), sliced them, added some citrus, vanilla extract, a smidge of corn starch (these things are wet!) and coated them with a crumble made of 60 g (ish) of butter, equal parts pistachio, flour and brown sugar (1/2 cup of each in this case). Man, I am so schizo when it comes to units of measurement... Then I put them in a medium hot oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes. They're baking as I write, so they may need a bit more time.

I don't think we spend enough time - maybe I should just speak for myself? - reveling in beautiful things. The smell of vanilla, butter and pear on a bright November day is a gift. That I can see it, smell it, taste it...That I can create and share it... That I can afford the food and heat to make it... That I will enjoy this after a dinner of beef tenderloin, rice and roasted veggies... Wow. My life is awesome.

Yum:

7 comments:

  1. Your is definitely awesome!

    That's why I enjoy hearing about it :).

    Those tarts would tempt me to bake but we already splurged today in our favorite Italian cafe in San Francisco on a generous helping of pistachio gelato. Yum.

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  2. Crumble is one of my favourite desserts no matter what filling is used. x

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  3. Most definitely awesome! And a crumble is a fabulous thing, well worth celebrating on its own.

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  4. we had apple crisp tonight, but I've put the bug in someone's ear that pear and pistachio might be worth a try. You're an inspiration!

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  5. Susan: There's always next weekend!

    Fab: I know, it's always excellent. Except with rhubarb.

    M: Yes indeed!

    F: It's the crisp season, yes? Seriously, you're going to love the combo.

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  6. Mmmmmm... crisps are wonderful! Pear and pistachio sounds like a great combo!

    Oh, btw, all the best cooks (and some chefs) in my life have the most beat up old sheet pans imaginable. Show me a kitchen with pristine looking bakeware, and I'll show you a kitchen that is never baked in...

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  7. Clio: So glad to hear it! I'll show off my baking sheet here on in with pride :-)

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