My Dad loved pears and I had purchased the ingredients to make this for him over the winter break of 2012.  He passed away that Thanksgiving weekend.  Over the holidays, I made it in his honor and invited the local branch of our family to share it.   They loved it, and I know Dad would have, too.

Pear Bardaloue

2015-07-31 21:23:58

Easier than you might think and absolutely gorgeous. This fragrant dessert is redolent of pears, almonds, autumn, and good friends.

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1. TART SHELL
2. ==========
3. 7 tbsp. butter
4. 1-1/4 c. sifted flour
5. A pinch of salt
6. 2 tbsp.. sugar
7. 5 tbsp. ice cold water
8. ALMOND CREAM
9. ==============
10. 1/4 c. butter
11. 1 small egg
12. 5 tbsp. sugar
13. 7/8 c. ground almonds
14. PEARS
15. ======
16. 10 to 12 canned pear halves (about 4 cans)

1. PREPARE THE CRUST: Cut the butter into very small pieces. Put the flour in a bowl and make a well in the center. Add the salt, the sugar, and the butter. Quickly rub in the ingredients with your fingertips. Add some water to form a dough. Knead until supple. (It should be neither too sticky, nor too soft.) Dust your work surface with flour, lay the dough on it and flatten it with the heel of your hand. (Do not knead at this stage.) Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes.
2. WHILE THE DOUGH IS RESTING: Cut the butter for the almond cream into pieces and allow to soften at room temperature.
3. Drain the pears and cut lengthwise into thin slices.
4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
5. PREPARE THE ALMOND CREAM: Break the egg into a bowl, add the butter and sugar and beat by hand until you obtain a smooth cream. Beat in the ground almonds.
6. Roll out the dough and place in a 9-inch tart shell Pour in the almond cream. Arrange the pear slices on top.
7. Bake for 30 minutes.
8. Allow to cool slightly before turning out.
9. Serve cold or at room temperature.

1. This pastry crust is best when created by hand (not in a food processor). If you are pressed for time or just don't want to work the dough with your hands, try the Pate Brisee recipe elsewhere on this site.
2. If the tart has cooked for 30 minutes and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean - but the almond cream filling is not golden brown - try sprinkling a little sugar on the cream (not the pears) and using a crème brullee torch - very lightly and briefly - to brown the top.

Adapted from Larousse on Pastry

Adapted from Larousse on Pastry

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