Ingredients

For the Pears:

• 6 medium pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1.5cm chunks
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

For the Crumble Topping:

• 75g plain flour
• 75g rolled oats
• 60g light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 60g cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt
• 40g pecans, roughly chopped

Method

1. Prepare your oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 170°C (150°C fan)/Gas Mark 3. Lightly butter a 20cm round baking dish or similar-sized rectangular dish.
2. Prepare the spiced pears: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pear chunks with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and flour. Add the lemon juice and toss gently until the pears are well coated. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish.
3. Make the crumble topping: In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and rub them in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in the tahini (it will create some lovely nutty clumps) and the chopped pecans.
4. Assemble and bake: Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the pears. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 20-25 minutes more, until the topping is golden brown and the pear juices are bubbling around the edges.
5. Rest and serve: Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. The crumble is lovely on its own or with a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• This can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and baked when ready to serve
• Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2 days and can be gently rewarmed in the oven