Pear Crisps with Dried Sour Cherries

Preparation 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. Reprinted with permission from The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern by Claudia Fleming. © 2001 Random House See more recipes from Random House cookbooks

Preparation 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. Reprinted with permission from The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern by Claudia Fleming. © 2001 Random House See more recipes from Random House cookbooks