PEAR-APPLE CRISP

3 ripe pears
2 tart apples (Granny Smith, Jonathan, or greening)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, chilled
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Peel, core and thinly slice pears and apples. Toss in large bowl with lemon juice, apple cider and vanilla. Transfer to 9-inch pie plate.

In medium-size bowl, stir together dry ingredients. With pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture looks crumbly. Stir in oil. Sprinkle mixture atop fruit.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread juice collected in the bottom of the pan over the fruit. Bake another 15 minutes, until fruit is soft and topping is crisp. Serve warm.

Makes 6 to 8 servings
Source: Reader's Digest Live Longer Cookbook (Reader's Digest, 1992)