Sweet afternoon fix: apple and pear gratin

Once upon a time on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the edge of spring…

A wrinkled apple and a slightly overripe pear were getting bored in the fruit bowl. Close by, a gourmande and her dutchie, slightly pekish, were in search of a sweet fix…

When the gourmande laid eyes on the fruit bowl, their fate was sealed: gently she intertwined pear and apple together under a thin cover of sugar and almonds. A pinch of lemon zest, vanilla and cinnamon, a drop of cognac, a squeeze of lemon juice and tidbits of butter to make the ambiance complete. And woosh, into the womb of a warm oven, where pear and apple melted together into a perfect golden and fragrant match.

Pear and apple gratin
Gratin pommes et poires

serves 2 pers*.
prep: 5 min. cook: 30 min
oven temp. 180°C/350°F

Ingredients*:
1 pear, peeled and sliced;
1 apple, peeled and sliced;
squeeze of lemon juice;
drop of cognac;
pinch of lemon zest, vanilla and cinnamon;
2 Tsp ground almonds;
1 1/2 Tsp sugar;
pinch of salt;
25 g butter;

Preheat the oven at 180°C/350°F and butter an oven dish.

Gently toss the pear and apple slices with the cognac, lemon juice, lemon zest and slices, to coat them without breaking them. Lay the fruit slices in an even layer in the oven dish. Sprinkle the sugar, salt and ground almonds. Top with the rest of the butter cut in tiny bits.

Bake for 20 to 30 min or until nicely golden.

Leave to cool a little before [diving into it with your loved one... or] plating, topped with a spoon of good quality creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream for a sexy dessert.

Bon appétit!

 
* need I say the servings are adjustable? Feel free to multiply! .

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