Lavender Pear Crisp

Topping:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 teaspoons culinary lavender
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
6 Tablespoon cold butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400*

Fruit Filling: Arrange pears slices in a 9" pie plate. Sprinkle with 1/4 c sugar (if sugar is desired on the pears due to tartness) and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Cover w/ foil and bake 20 minutes.

Topping: In large bowl combine topping dry ingredients; cut in butter until mixture resembles small peas. Spoon the crumble mixture evenly over fruit. Bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Garnish with fresh mint and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired. Makes an excellent first course for breakfast, or a last course for dinner.

Makes eight servings
* To make your own Lavender Sugar:
Mix 1 cup of Culinary Lavender with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Let blend for about one week. Strain out the blossoms before using.

Alternative method: Pulverize 1/2 cup of Culinary Lavender in a blender. Mix with 1 1/2 cups of sugar. The flavor is more pronounced and can be used within 24 hours.