Birnen im Teig
Schleswig-Holstein, where this dish originated, has close historical and geographical ties to Denmark. As a result of a plebiscite held after World War I, the northern zone became Danish, while the southern area was incorporated into the German Reich.
This is a dish for people who like the typically Scandinavian combination of sweet and salty. The baking dish is lined with thin slices of Schinkenspeck, lean pork that is dry-cured and aged and does not require cooking. This German specialty is hard to find in America but you can substitute a good Westphalian ham.
Region Schleswig-Holstein
Ingredients
- 2 lbs firm pears
- small piece of lemon peel
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened, plus 1 tablespoon
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 pound Westphalian ham thinly sliced
Instructions
- Peel and core the pears and remove their stems; then, cut them in half. Bring 1 quart water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the lemon peel. Reduce the heat and poach the pears in batches in a single layer just until tender. Remove them with a slotted spoon, drain, and set aside.
- Cream the butter with an electric mixer until light. Separate the eggs and add the yolks to the butter. Add the flour, baking powder, milk, and salt.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a 2-quart gratin dish.
- Beat the egg whites with salt until they stand in stiff peaks and fold them into the dough.
- Line the bottom and the sides of the gratin dish with the ham. Place the pears cut side down in the dish in a single layer and pour the dough over them. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden and a knife comes out clean. Serve warm.
