When people ask me how I make up recipes "on the spot", I have to admit that most of my inspiration stems from not wanting to waste food. In fact, over the past 5 years, the only ingredient I can recall throwing out was a single head of lettuce, before heading off on vacation.
Great things can happen when you're trying to be a thrifty and sustainable cook. Just this week, I came home to find a browning pear and a couple of increasingly shriveled figs. But a few minutes on the stove and some Indian-inspired spices turned these sorry looking fruits into one of the most delicious desserts I've ever invented.
Five Minute Spiced Pear and Fig Crumble
Ingredients
- 1 juicy pear
- 2-3 figs
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary (or 1/2 tsp dried rosemary)
- a pinch of sea salt (to taste)
- 2 tbsp of your favorite granola
- 1 tbsp pumpkin or flax seeds (optional)
- greek yogurt (optional)
Instructions
- Just cover the bottom of a small pot with water; bring to a simmer.
- While water is heating, wash and chop pear into small chunks.
- Add pear to simmering water.
- Wash and chop figs; add to pears.
- Add curry, rosemary and salt.
- Stir occasionally until fruit is warm and softened (but not mushy).
- Remove from heat and scoop fruit into a bowl.
- Top with granola, seeds and a dollop of greek yogurt.
**For elegant plating, simply add a small sprig of fresh rosemary.