Spiced Cherry Pear Pie

6 pears

1 can tart pitted cherries in water

1cup sugar

2 TBSP instant pectin

1/4 cup tapioca (dry)

1tsp cinnamon

1tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp apple pie spice 

2 pie crusts

Mash 1 pear (peeled and cored) with cherries (in water), add sugar, spices, pectin, stir.  Add extra sugar or spice to taste. Add dry tapioca.

 Prepare pie crust (I use Bon Appetite's recipe). 

Poor fruit filling into small sauce pan and simmer on medium till it begins to thicken and flavors heighten. (Add sugar and/or tapioca as needed)

Peel and slice pears.  Arrange pear slices inside of pie tin on top of unbaked crust.  Add butter slices (about 5 tbsp).

Cool fruit mixture and add sugar/spice to taste, if needed. 

Pour fruit mix on pears. 

Lattice weave top of pie crust and pinch edges together.

Brush top crust with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 15 minutes at 425.... Then reduce heat to 375 and continue baking until crust is golden but not burned.

Inspired by a fall weekend escape to northern MI wine country with my love.  We met a cherry-pear butter that broke our hearts and left us feeling deprived (when the jar was empty).  The spicy warm sweet flavors of pear and cherry...  With a flaky buttery crust.