So, we don’t really serve “crumble” in the Middle East, but as someone born and raised in the Midwest, we ate them a lot for dessert. We would go to the orchard in the fall, collect bushels of apples, and then come home to make a crumble. I wanted to make a Middle Eastern version. I wanted to stay away from the typical rose water and orange blossom water. I saw someone once poach pears with cardamom – aha! Perfect – combine pears with cardamom for the perfect Middle Eastern crumble! The white chocolate was a random addition, but it works. You can omit it if you don’t have any on hand.
I have made this quite a few times since my first attempt – and it always turns out great, and is always a big hit. I have put them in individual mini crocks, and also in a large pyrex pan. You should estimate at least 1 pear per person when making this. This recipe serves 4.
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings |
people
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- 4 bosc pears peeled and diced
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 cup organic sugar
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder cardamom extract works well too
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean pod
- 1 1/2 cups oats
- 1 cup gluten-free flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 cup chopped white chocolate discs (or chips) (optional)
Ingredients
For the Pear Filling
For the Crumble
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- In a saute pan, melt half of stick of butter over medium heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the diced pears, sugar, and cardamom. Make a long slit in the vanilla bean, and, using the tip of your knife, remove the inside of the vanilla bean, and add it to the bowl. Add the entire contents to the melted butter on your stovetop. I usually throw in entire vanilla pod into the pan for good measure. Stir well so the pears are coated in the butter and sugar.
- Let the pears cook over the heat for approximately 15 minutes. Stir the pear mixture periodically. Remove the vanilla pod at the end and discard.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the crumble ingredients, except the white chocolate. Mix well with your hands until the mixture is dry, but clumpy and damp. If it is too wet, you can add some more oats and flour. If too dry and crumbly, add a little water.
- If you like, add some white chocolate into the crumble, and mix well again.
- In a lightly buttered pan, add the pear mixture. Top with the crumble.
- Bake in the oven for approximately 25 minutes. Serve warm, and, if desired, with vanilla ice cream. ENJOY!
