Plum & Asian Pear Bake

I’ve been in a funk all week because it has been rainy, gray and dreary for the past 6 days. I’m not complaining too much because it is a welcome break from the 100 degree heat, and that’s only helping my garden grow. But I just miss the sun. The overcast views outside my window make me want to crawl back up in bed or veg out on the couch with a hot cup of cocoa. So after a week of looking out my dreary windows I satisfied my gray-weather craving last night by making this- Red Plum & Asian Pear dessert.

I recently found these cute little individual pots at Tuesday Morning for only $3.99 ea.! They are the perfect size for an individual dessert serving like this. Though you could dump this recipe in to a larger baking dish and it would turn out just as good.

I had an over abundance of Red Plums and Asian pears from my last co-op share from Urban Acres. These fruits made for the perfect pairing in this dreary-week, pick me up dessert. The soft tart plums baked down to tender perfection, and the crisp Asian Pears still held their texture which make for an excellent contrast in flavors and textures. If you haven’t tried an Asian Pear before I suggest you run to the supper market immediately and pick some up. You don’t have to go to any specialty food store, I’ve seen them just about everywhere, you just have to know what to look for. Their skin resembles a pale yellow-green Bartlet pear, but they are much more round like an apple. The white flesh within is juicy, crisp and very sweet.

I didn’t have enough flour or sugar on hand to make a traditional crumble- so I improvised, and the result was so simple and delicious! I will definitely make this time and again with a variety of fruits. To create a buttery sweet crust on top I simply tore up some cinnamon raisin swirl bread and baked them in butter. As a rule of thumb, Butter + Sweet Bread + Fruit = always equals Awesome!

Red Plum & Asian Pear Bake

2-3 red plums, sliced

2-3 Asian pears, sliced

2 1/5 tbs lt. brown sugar

1/2 tbs fresh lemon juice

2 tbs butter

3 slices of Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread

In a mixing bowl, toss your sliced plums and pears in the lemon juice and brown sugar to coat evenly. Pack the fruit in to your baking dish. (don’t be afraid to pile it high, this will bake down and fruit will settle) Tear up your bread in to small pieces and cover the top of your dish evenly. Dot the top with butter evenly. Ten in to the oven you go- at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and bread on top is crisp and golden.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.