Some people are gifted with a sophisticated palate. Me, not so much. I’ve been to wine tastings and, for the life of me, I can’t find the chocolate, citrus or tobacco essences on the back of my tongue. So, I haven’t eaten pears in awhile. They generally went from hard little rocks, bland and flavorless, to mush, bland and flavorless.
But I tried the pears from Drowning Creek Farms (hope springs eternal!). They were beautiful little red, cream and yellow little darlings. Then I bit into one! So, this is a pear!! Sweet, juicy, firm not hard or mushy and tasting of, well, pear! The closest thing I had come to these was the pear flavored Jelly Bellies, sad but true. Again, the simplest preparation is the best so guests of Camellia Cottage Bed and Breakfast have been enjoying this yummy custard lately. Also great with plums or any kind of berry. Sprinkle some crushed pecans on top before baking.
Pear Custard
11/2 cups cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 fresh eggs
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk all ingredients together in small bowl. Grease 6 4 oz. ramekins and place in 9×13 pan. Cut about 3-4 pears into small dice and divide into ramekins. Pour custard around pears. Sprinkle with crushed nuts. Bake at 350 degress till just set, about 20-30 minutes.