Pear & Ginger Crêpes served with Cinnamon Cream
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pinch table salt
3 tbsp (45 ml) butter, divided
3 to 4 Bartlett pears, peeled, cored, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) x 1½-in (3.75 cm) chunks
⅓ cup (75 ml) chopped crystallized ginger
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) water
½ tbsp (7 ml) cornstarch
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
Classic Crêpes, make ahead, recipe follows
1 cup (250 ml) flour
pinch table salt
¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
1 cup (250 ml) milk
½ cup (125 ml) water
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil, divided
Cinnamon Cream, make ahead, recipe follows
1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon, ginger and salt. Set aside. In a large skillet or wok, melt 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter over medium heat. Add pears, crystallized ginger and sugar, then increase heat to high and sauté until edges of pears start turning golden brown.
- Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle cinnamon mixture over pears. Mix well to coat. Continue cooking, uncovered, for another 3 to 5 minutes, until pears are fragrant and most of the released liquid evaporates.
- In a small bowl, mix together water and cornstarch and add to pears, stirring well until liquid in skillet thickens, about 10 seconds. Add lemon juice and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter and stir until butter melts and is incorporated into pear filling, about 30 to 45 seconds. Turn off heat and cover. Set aside.
- To assemble, spoon desired amount of filling into centre of each Classic Crêpe and fold sides in towards centre to create a cone. Top with Cinnamon Cream and chopped pecans, if using.
- To prepare Classic Crêpes, In a large bowl, lightly whisk together flour, salt and sugar until blended. Add milk, water, eggs and vanilla and whisk together until smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated. Cover and allow to rest at least 30 minutes or overnight, if possible.
- In a 10-in (25 cm) non-stick skillet or crêpe pan, heat about ¾ tsp (4 ml) vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Give batter a quick stir and, using a ladle, pour about ⅓ cup (75 ml) batter into hot skillet and carefully but quickly swirl skillet to evenly distribute batter over surface. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1 minute, then flip and continue cooking for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, monitoring and adjusting heat level as needed to prevent burning. Remove from skillet and transfer to a plate. Loosely cover with foil to keep warm until ready to fill. Repeat with remaining batter.
- To Prepare Cinnamon Cream, In a medium bowl, using a whisk, hand blender or hand mixer, whisk all ingredients together until whipped cream holds medium peaks. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Makes about 1½ cups (375 ml)