Apple-Pear Gratin

Notes: You can make this gratin up to 1 day ahead; cool, cover, and chill. Reheat, uncovered, in a 350° oven until warm, about 15 minutes.

Yield
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
• 1/2 pounds Golden Delicious apples
• 1 1/2 pounds ripe Bartlett or Comice pears
• 1 lemon (about 6 oz.), rinsed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup dried currants
• 2 tablespoons rum (optional)
• 5 to 6 ounces anise or almond biscotti or shortbread cookies
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup whipping cream
• Vanilla ice cream or slightly sweetened softly whipped cream


Preparation
1. Peel and core apples and pears. Cut fruit lengthwise into about 1/2-inch-thick wedges; place in a large bowl.
2. Grate peel (yellow part only) from lemon, then ream juice. Add peel and juice to apples and pears, along with sugar, currants, and rum; mix gently. Pour into a shallow 2- to 2 1/2-quart baking dish.
3. Place biscotti in a 1-quart zip-lock plastic bag and crush lightly with a rolling pin to make 1 1/2 cups coarse crumbs; pour into a small bowl. Add butter and cinnamon and mix. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over fruit. Pour cream evenly over topping.
4. Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until fruit is tender when pierced and crumb topping is browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Let gratin cool at least 10 minutes; serve warm or cool. Scoop onto plates or bowls and top with ice cream.