Warm season in time for cool grapes

Well, it's finally here, warm days and nice evenings, and time to be spending more and more days outdoors. Gardens will soon be planted, flowers are blooming everywhere, and thoughts turn to picnics and cookouts.

This is also the time of year that we all seem to eat more fruit in our diets. It could have something to do with the warm air, or fruit just tastes better right about now. A wonderful way to enjoy fruit is in salad form.

I like to make fruit salads a bit out of the ordinary. Various mixtures are good together, but the key is always using what is nice and ripe. Mixing fruits with spices gives the same fruit an exciting new twist.

Today's recipe is one I made up a few years back to bring to a friend's party. I didn't have much in the house at the time, so it was "combine what I did have available and hope for the best." Now this popular recipe is showing up here and there as I've given out my secret in the past.

I love grapes. I love eating them, growing them, and just enjoying their aroma. Grapes are a good filler in any fruit salad dish you want to make. Green seedless are usually a hit. They can also be frozen and popped into your mouth anytime for a quick pick-me-up and refresher.

I made this recipe with almond extract, but if you are not a fan of almond, vanilla or orange extract works well, too.

Grape and Pear Crisper, as I call it, is a version of apple crisp, but simpler and much more fruity. The marriage of the grapes and pears is delicate, and with the other spices it's just a nice little recipe to keep in your back pocket for a surprise dessert or bring along on a family picnic.

Serve it warm or cold, and with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream you'll have a dessert you'll make time and time again.
Grape and Pear Crisper
1-1/2 to 2 cups halved seedless green
grapes
1 can (16 oz.) sliced pears, drained
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose
flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup cold butter or margarine
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

In a bowl, combine the grapes, pears, 2 tablespoons flour and extract until blended. Spoon into a lightly greased 8-inch inch square baking dish. In another bowl combine brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in walnuts; sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Serve with ice cream or whipped topping. If you use whipped topping, try mixing a bit of cinnamon in it prior to serving.