For a crisper, nuttier oatmeal cookie without any butter or sugar:- toast one and a half cups of oatmeal in half a cup of canola oil, allow to cool. Combine one a half cups of flour, a large pinch of baking soda, one teaspoon of cinnamon, one teaspoon of sea salt. Mix in two beaten eggs and one cup of honey, then mix in the cooled toasted oats. Place in teaspoon sized balls on an oiled baking sheet, flatten with a fork and bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 11 minutes until they are just beginning to turn golden brown. Allow to cook on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

Reviewed On: Nov. 15, 2009

I made this pie three times (once with apples) and the last version worked the best. Here is is:- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Core four pears, slice thinly and arrange fan-style in layers around the unbaked pie shell. Cream 2 oz of butter with 1/3 cup of sugar. Add 2 beaten eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Carefully stir in 1/3 cup of flour. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence and 1/2 teaspoon almond essence. Beat the white of one egg until stiff peaks form, then use a metal spoon or knife to cut it into the flour mixture as if making a souffle. Spoon the mixture over the pears taking care so as not to deflate the air within it. Sprinkle lightly with cinammon. Place the pie on a wire cooling rack and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 for a further 25 minutes, then lower heat to 350 degrees for a further 20 minutes (one hour in total). The pie is cooked when the top is golden brown and the custard is set. If liquid is visible the pie is not cooked. Remove the wire rack with the pie on it and allow it to cool completely before slicing. Take care when removing from the oven as the pie is fragile until cool. The result will be a 'frangipani' type of pear tart, with firm but soft fruit surrounded by a soft custard topped with a crisp slightly chewy and meringue like top. The recipe can be prepared in the same way with apples but it needs only about 40 minutes baking time, 15 minutes at 425 then 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Reviewed On: Oct. 23, 2009