FIESTA PEAR DESSERT

TORTILLA SHELLS:
6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
PEAR SAUCE:
4 Bartlett pears, cored and diced
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon lemon zest
ICE CREAM BALLS:
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 quart vanilla ice cream
FOR SERVING (OPTIONAL):
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon white sugar

TO PREPARE TORTILLA SHELLS:
In a deep fryer bring oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Place one tortilla in the hot oil gently pressing the center with a wooden spoon or ladle until the tortilla forms a cup. Gently turn and fry each tortilla separately until golden brown on both sides.

TO PREPARE PEAR SAUCE:
Combine pears, sugar, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and lemon zest. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil; cook 1 minute longer. Let mixture cool.

TO PREPARE ICE CREAM BALLS:
Combine cookie crumbs, pecans and remaining cinnamon. Form ice cream into 4-6 balls; roll in crumb mixture to coat.

TO SERVE:
Place an ice cream ball in each fried tortilla shell. Top with the cooled pear mixture. Fried tortilla shells can be brushed with honey and dusted with ground cinnamon and sugar before filling, if desired.