Almond Pear Tart

 

Pastry

1 ¼ c. flour

1 T. sugar

1 pinch salt

½ c. unsalted butter – cut into bits and softened

4 T. cold water

 

Filling

½ c. sugar

6 T. unsalted butter – softened

1 large egg

¾ tsp. almond extract

1 c. finely ground blanched almonds

4 medium pears

¼ c. apricot or peach jam

 

For pastry:

In bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.  Cut in butter using a pastry blender to make coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle with enough water to hold dough together.  Gather into a ball and flatten to a 5 inch disc:  wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 mins.  On a lightly floured board, roll out pastry to an 11 inch circle.  Fit in a 9 inch lightly greased tart pan with removable bottom.  Trim edges; place pan in freezer for 30 mins. 

For filling:

In bowl, cream sugar and butter until fluffy; beat in egg and almond extract.  Stir in ground almonds. Spread evenly in pastry shell.  Peel pears, cut into halves and remove cores.  Cut each half lengthwise into ¼ inch slices, being careful not to cut through to the stem end.  Arrange 6 halves spoke fashion on top of almond filling; place 1 pear half in center.

Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 35 to 40 mins. or until pastry is golden brown.  Transfer to rack.  In saucepan, heat jam with 1 T. water until melted; press through fine sieve.  Brush mixture over warm tart; let cool.  Serve at room temperature.

 

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