Pear and Ginger Crisp

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 1/2 pounds pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• Cooking spray
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 (1-ounce) slices white bread
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, ground
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add first 6 ingredients; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Place pear mixture in a 2-quart casserole lightly coated with cooking spray.
4. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger, and salt; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.
5. Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until crumbs measure 3/4 cup. Stir breadcrumbs and nuts into flour mixture.
6. Sprinkle flour mixture evenly over pear mixture. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until filling is bubbly and topping is golden.