1 1/2teaspoonsall-purpose flourfor brushing on the pears
For the olive oil batter:
4large eggs
¾cupgranulated sugar
⅔cupextra-virgingood tasting olive oil
⅓cupmelted unsalted butter
Finely grated zest and freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
1½cupsall-purpose flour
1tablespoonbaking powder
¾teaspoonfine sea salt
non-stick baking spray
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bring 4 cups water and granulated sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the pears; reduce heat to medium, and cook at a medium-low boil for 5 minutes or just until pears start to soften. Remove pears from pan; cool slightly. Trim the bottom off of each pear so that it is about the height of a 9 x 5–inch loaf pan. Lightly brush flour over the bottom 2/3rds of each pear.
For the olive oil bread:
Using your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the eggs and sugar and beat on high speed for about 3 minutes. Drizzle in the olive oil and melted butter and continue to mix. Fold in the lemon zest and juice.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet egg mixture and mix until evenly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if needed.
Spray your baking pan with non-stick baking spray. Arrange your pears (brushed with the flour) in the baking loaf pan and carefully pour in the batter.
Bake at 350° for about 60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Cool for about 20 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Carefully remove from pan and allow to cool completely on wire rack. Slice and serve immediately.