Pear Crumb Pie

I have the EASIEST pie recipe you will bake. Last week while lying around the house, I had this overwhelming craving for an apple pie. I get these cravings every now and again, and they mostly go away- this one did not. Upon inspection of my kitchen, I had all the necessary ingredients to make an apple pie- but no apples. In my refrigerator were 7 pears, and I knew my fancy would be tickled.  The best part about this recipe- you can sub the pears for any fresh fruit (apples, peaches, berries) and the recipe remains the same! Enjoy!

FILLING:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 dash ground nutmeg

6 cups thinly sliced peeled pears

1 tablespoon lemon juice

TOPPING:

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup cold earth balance

CRUST:

1 premade 9” pie crust (use whole-wheat or organic)

Combine filling ingredients; spoon into the crust. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes. For topping, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling, bake 40 minutes longer. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary.

BAKE THIS ON A COOKIE SHEET! It will bubble over…..