Sugar-Free Pear Berry Crisp (gluten-free, vegan, ACD)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I made this crisp to take along to a dinner with friends last weekend. In addition to sharing allergies, intolerances, restrictions, often waning energy levels, and pretty amazing cooking skills, we all share another thing: chronic illness. Lyme, Babesiosis, Bartonella, CFIDS, MCS, the list goes on. How we all manage to have so much fun discussing our symptoms, looking up lab tests and CPT codes online, and talking about our medications and supplements amazes me. It is a small group, just the right size, and the openness, honesty, and solidarity is refreshing. There's no drama, no judgement - just conversation and understanding. And despite it all, we laugh and joke and have a blast. And don't be mistaken, we spend plenty of time talking about stuff other than Lyme.
I feel blessed. This group is just one slice of the community that I am proud to call my own, and I recognize how fortunate I am to have a support network. Especially a support network that can cook! :)
Truly, our Lymie dinners are nothing short of delicious. We bring contributions such as green Thai curry and jasmine rice, roasted pork loin with pears and sweet potatoes, baked salmon, roasted vegetables, and fresh vegetables with hummus and olive platters. This last dinner was lovely - spinach salad with all the fixings, charbroiled marinated shish kebobs, wild rice & ground pork dressing, veggies and hummus, and pear berry crisp. The crisp was my contribution, and rounded out a dinner that left us all satisfied and happy. All of us watch our intake of sweet things, so a sugar-free dessert like this was perfect! Sweet fruit, spicy cinnamon, and a crunchy crumble topping - you can't go wrong!
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Share it with people you love, and take a moment to appreciate the ways in which you find solidarity, community, and understanding. Be well.
Sugar-Free Pear Berry Crisp
yield 1 large or 2 smaller pans of crisp
If you have a nut allergy, feel free to substitute the cashews with a seed such as sunflower or pumpkin.
Crumble
- 100 g (approx 1 cup) GF rolled oats
- 120 g (approx 1 cup) lightly chopped raw cashews (or other nut/seed)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp pure stevia extract powder (I used NuNaturals brand)
- pinch unrefined salt
- 1/4 cup neutral-tasting oil (I used organic sunflower oil)
Filling
- about 1 kg (2-2 1/4 pounds, or 6 medium)) ripe, firm pears
- 225 g (8 oz) frozen berries (I used this mix of blueberries, blackberries, and black raspberries)
- 1/16 tsp pure stevia extract powder (I used NuNaturals brand)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 30 g (approx 1/4 cup) arrowroot starch/flour
Heat oven to 350º F and oil a 9"x13" baking dish, or two smaller baking dishes.
Make crumble by placing cashews and oats in a blender or food processor, and process until coarse crumbs appear. do not blend/process too long, or you will make flour! Transfer to a bowl and mix with other dry ingredients, then add oil and mix with a fork until evenly moistened. Set aside.
!uarter and core the pears, then cut into bite-size 1/4" thick pieces. Mix in a bowl with remaining ingredients, then transfer to prepared pan. sprinkle with crumble topping, and place in oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until top is browned and crisp and filling is bubbling a little. Remove from oven and let cool a bit before serving.
Great with a scoop of coconut milk ice cream! And it is darn good cold too.
Reader Comments (9)
I already used up my stash of Summers frozen berries! Can't wait for the season to change and hunt for more, then I'll make this delicious sounding crisp!
Looks fabulous!
My fave kind of crisp (& I LOOOVE crisp) is a Pear Crisp (w/ berries or apples & cranberries for fall, you name it I love it). For awhile I was making an almond flour crust w/ agave & coconut oil but since I've tried hard to get away from agave (nectar of the devil, that stuff!, it raised my cholesterol!), I am trying to use barley malt or yacon syrup. I like your stevia idea b/c stevia doesn't raise blood glucose levels at all (or so i've read).
This summer I hope to do a nectarine & blueberry crisp ala giada de laurentiis, but "healthify" it up.
Have a great day!
Looks scrumptious! I can't wait to make a summer berry crisp!
I have a question for you about water kefir, how long have you let it ferment and still drank it? The only reason why I ask is because I don't do well with cane sugar and I'm not sure that letting it ferment 48 hours gives ample time for the kefir grains to eat all the sugar. The recommended time is from 24-48 hours, but I was curious if there were any benefits (or problems) to letting it ferment longer or if you tried that.
Looks delicious! Berries with pears is heavenly. A question though...do you eat GF oats while on the ACD? I've read conflicting information, but I suppose it varies from person to person.
This looks delish! I can't wait to make it this spring.
P.S. just tagged you in my latest blog post :)
thanks for all the great comments!
@Elisabeth - I avoided oats for about a year when I was on the ACD very strictly, then brought them in again. opinion seems to vary, but according to Whole Approach (I like their ACD plan), it is something that can be included in Phase II of the diet, after you've done a more strict, carb-limited plan for a period of 4-8 weeks or something like that. Ultimately, it depends on your body I think. If you notice a flare-up with oats, or if you feel better without them, avoid them. If you can eat them in moderation and not experience a problem, go for it. Good luck!
This sounds amazing! Can't wait to try it out!!
Yum! I featured this on my post about GF SF vegan recipes: http://www.greenwala.com/profiles/eco-vegan-gal/blog/14994-Wheat-free-Wednesday-5-Sugar-Free-Gluten-Free-and-Vegan-Dessert-Recipes
Greetings from Scotland! I enjoyed reading your articles.