And we’re back with another installment of the Food Matters Project! This past week, on February 1st, this little project celebrate it’s 1 year anniversary! I’m really glad that I have been involved in these weekly posts- it’s given me an opportunity to think a little outside of the box, and encourage me to try different recipes. Most of all, it’s been a wonderful opportunity to connect with other bloggers who enjoy a great cookbook! Thanks to all those that participate, and all the readers at home!
This weeks recipe was chosen by Camilla, of Culinary Adventures with Camilla. She chose Mark Bittman’s recipe for Cardamom-Scented Pear Crisp, from the Food Matters Cookbook. Check out Camillas post on her Cranberry & Pear Cardamom-Scented Crisp. Also, take a peak what other bloggers did with this recipe.
Camilla has also hosted these Food Matters Project dishes: Wheat Berries with Braised Beef & Parsnips, Fish Nuggets Braised in Rhubarb Sauce. While we were still on our honeymoon during one of those recipes, here’s the fish version of our dish: Cod in Spicy Rhubarb Sauce.
Whenever I go to the grocery store and see that a bag of pistachio’s is “buy 1, get 1 free”- I always grab a bag (or two). They are a versatile nut that can be used in many baked goods, or they’re a perfect mid-day snack. How do you use or eat your pistachio’s?
This was a great dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This dish was delicious since it was not overly sweet, a perfect pairing with tea in the morning. Sam and I finished it off as breakfast leftovers with some honey-flavored Greek yogurt.
Cardamom & Pistachio Pear Crisp
Adapted from: The Food Matters Cookbook (pg 568)
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup chopped unsalted pistachios
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
pinch of salt
2 pears, cored & sliced
1 tsp cardamom
In a large bowl with a mixer, cream together butter, oil and sugar. Then stir in the pistachios, lemon juice, oats, flour and salt. Mix until the ingredients are combined.
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Spray a tart pan with cooking spray, or grease it with butter.
Press the dough into a tart pan, using only 3/4 of the dough. Next lay out the pear pieces on top of the dough, then sprinkle with cardamom. Lastly, sprinkle the last of the dough over the pears.
Bake the crisp for 30 minutes, or until the crust starts to brown. Serve once it cools with a scoop of ice cream.
Fifthfloorkitchen's Blog 
That looks beautiful…and delicious! Love the addition of pistachios.
Pistachios are always a favorite hear, we’re trying to clear out our cupboards as well, so it did double-duty in using some of them up. A plus was the nutty flavor in the dough. Great selection for this weeks dish!
Love the pistachios Evi! I hope I can try the recipe this week.
Thanks Lexi, really loved this one. This can also be made in granola form which I’ve been thinking of remaking, delicious and healthy for breakfast!
Sometimes I joke that I have a pistachio addiction…there are times I go through them mindlessly until my thumbnails are all chewed up and gnarly. Loved seeing them in this dish. I can only imagine that they taste wonderful with pears. Ooooh…you know what would be good too? A fruit and cheese platter with some pears and that pistachio goat cheese that we all made (as part of the beet sandwiches recipe last summer from Bittman’s book). I digress….! Looks great, Evi!
Love the idea! That sounds amazing for a perfect spring afternoon with a glass of white wine. Oooo, now I’m craving cheese & warmer weather! What a great idea, will have to keep this one in my back pocket.
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