this is what a perfectly ripe pear looks like – it should be glistening when you peel it; don’t think I really captured its juicyness, but it was, perfect
Guess I am becoming “The Scone Lady”. I could be known as worse things……..
Today I had the most beautiful red anjou pear which was perfectly ripe – wish I had photographed it before I peeled it. I actually thought I had another one, but the “mice” must have eaten it when I wasn’t looking. I have been hoarding pears for about a week in anticipation of our big dinner coming up. This is what is best to do if you need perfectly ripe pears to bake or cook with. I am really into all pear recipes this year and today I wanted to try to push forward the pear flavor.
Pears, when perfectly ripe, are a rare treat. Their flavor though, can be so subtly soft that it is difficult to bring forth in a baked item. Often it gets totally lost. Ginger, almond and lemon are their perfect compliments. Hope I got it right here.
Red Anjou Pear and Ginger Scones
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tblsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
zest of one lemon
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 eggs, room temp
1/2 cup buttermilk
6 tblsp cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
1/4 cup crystalized ginger, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and lemon zest. Dump mixture out into a low wide bowl. In a measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, almond extract and buttermilk. Make a well in the center. Pour the wet mixture into the dry. With a dough scraper, gently mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, just until the mixture begins to come together. Add the ginger and pears and mix with your hands until the dough forms a mass but do not over work. Spoon onto baking sheet into 8-9 scones. Sprinkle with muscavado sugar. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until well browned and crunchy on top.
These could be great on Thanksgiving morning! Wishing you a lovely day!
