but then reveled in gloating and bragging about it to all of his friends. He also thought it was funny when he rammed me and knocked me onto the street, skinnin’ my leg, during one of our bike races. Then, not even a week later, he deliberately kicked me in the side during a swimming race at the officer’s club pool. In short, Jimmy was a bully and I’d about had it with his mean-boy attitude.
One Saturday afternoon, I went outside to play and ran into Jimmy with all his friends. When he saw me, he immediately started taunting me, “ Oh! Lookee’ who’s here! That stupid girl who has a boy’s name. So, tomboy, you wanna see who can make it to the top of that tree over there first!?” Well, I looked over at that pear tree he was pointing to and thought, “Heck, yeah! I’ve practiced climbing that tree every day for a month!” I looked back at him and his friends and confidently replied, “ You’re on!”
We walked right over to the tree and one of his friends said, “Are you ready? On your mark. Get set. Go!” Off the two of us went! Scrambling up that tree trunk like a bunch of monkeys! We made it to the first big branches at the top of the cradle of the trunk, and as I started up to the next big branch, Jimmy shoved me with his foot. I quickly grabbed the branch to keep from falling. He then laughed,“What’s the matter, sissy tomboy? Did you almost fall?” as he scrambled up to the next big branch.
Well, I guess that was the straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back. I was really pissed off and just about had it with this neighborhood bully! So, with all my strength, I hoisted myself back up onto the branch and, literally, flew up to the next branch, which he had already reached. As he turned around, still laughin’ at me, I don’t know what came over me. I just smacked him in the face, which sent him flyin’ off the tree. I can still remember watching that surprised, “somebody- stood- up- to me?,” look on his face as he hit to the ground. And, bam! He broke his arm.
Oh, boy. Was I ever in trouble. Jimmy’s momma called my momma and I was grounded for 2 weeks and even had to write him an apology letter. But, you know what? After that pear tree incident, Jimmy was a changed boy. He stopped bullying me and taunting others and never challenged me or any other kid to another unfair race. Right then and there, I just knew that old pear tree we’d climbed had some kind of magical powers of transformation.
So, Jimmy Connors, I don’t know where you are today, but, I hope you’ll accept an apology from this old “sissy tomboy” and enjoy this special Pear Tart I made… just for you!
Jimmy’s Pear and Cherry Cast Iron Skillet Tart
Recipe by: Bobbi Jo Lathan
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Serves: 4
PREP TIME
5 mins
COOK TIME
30 mins
TOTAL TIME
35 mins
INGREDIENTS
3–4 firm ripe Bosc or Bartlett pears
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
⅛ cup water
½ cup dried cherries
1 9-inch pie crust (your favorite recipe or store-bought)
1 tablespoon honey
INSTRUCTIONS
Tart:
Preheat your oven to 375° F.
Peel, core and slice the pears into about ½ -inch slices.
In a medium-sized, non-reactive bowl, toss pear slices with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Now, add to the pear-lemon mix, the brown sugar, cornstarch, spice, salt, water and cherries, and toss until pears are evenly coated.
Lay the pie crust in a small (6 to 8 inches) cast-iron skillet.
Put your pear mixture into center of the pie crust, leaving about 2 inches of crust for a border.
Now, gently fold that 2 inch border over the pears, leaving an opening in the middle.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until the crust is a nice golden brown.
Now, when it’s done, remove the pear tart from the oven.
In a little pot, boil up ¼ or ½ teaspoon of water.
Glaze:
Get a little bowl and add the boiling water to the honey to thin it out a bit, and to make a glaze.
Brush that glaze over top and sides of tart and dig in! YUM!
NOTES
Lodge Manufacturing Company makes a perfect 6.5 inch cast iron skillet. That’s what I make the tart in! If you’re the only one comin’ to supper, or it’s just you and someone else, it’s perfect for a small sized serving of cornbread or even macaroni and cheese.
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