Apple-Pear Pie

if only there were a scratch and sniff app, so you could smell this!

Ever heard of an apple-pear?  Well, I hadn't either, that was, until last Fall. 

cute little apple-pear

I was making my ritualistic bi-weekly trip to Costco, and browsing the produce.  I am the pie maker for Thanksgiving and I always bring the same thing.  Apple and Pumpkin.  One year I tried to "switch it up" and got boo'd out of the kitchen.  I guess we are a very traditional family, in that we have the exact same meal on Thanksgiving, and it's perfect, so why mess with it?

If it aint broke, don't fix it I guess!?!

Well, last year I didn't think anyone would get too upset if I swayed a bit, so along with my pumpkin, I made a pie with the apple-pears I found at Costco.  It was a HIT!!

New tradition?

I think so!

Last week my Mom and I went to a fall open house at this great store here in Omaha, and I found the COOLEST pie keeper!! I fell in love! 

and then I bought it.

My Mom always just rolls her eyes and says " and yet NOBODY ever knows what to get YOU for Christmas!"

But...but ...MOM!!  Fall is PIE SEASON!! I have to have it NOW!!

(insert the voice of the girl who wanted a golden goose from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory here)

the pie keeper...c'mon... you would have bought it, too, wouldn't you?

So, in the same week, three pie things happened.

1. I found the perfect pie keeper

2. Costco got their apple-pears in

3. Lark's Country Heart  gave a challenge for using nutmeg (which is in the pie!)

So, if that isn't a calling to bake a pie, I don't know what is!!

Apple-Pear Pie

5 apple pears

2 granny smith apples (I like a little tartness)

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. nutmeg

1/2 c Craisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Peel and slice apple-pears and apples, to equal approximately 7 cups.  Toss fruit with dry ingredients to coat. Place into prepared pie crust. Apply top crust, and vent. Dust with cinnamon and sugar.

Bake pie for 45-50 minutes, or until crust is browned and fruit is tender.