Pear Pie

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 4 large ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch pie plate.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until the dough comes together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to fit the pie plate. Place the dough in the pie plate, trimming the edges if necessary.
4. In a large bowl, combine the pears, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch. Mix until the pears are evenly coated. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
5. Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow to cool before serving.

Interesting Facts

• Pears are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
• Pears are a member of the rose family.
• Pear pie, or "pear tart," has been a popular dessert in Europe for centuries.