Tuesday, January 6, 2009

TWD - French Pear Tart


I honestly didn't think I could make TWD this week - but given that Dorie Greenspan herself made the choice, how could I resist?

This week's dish is French Pear Tart. This is a dish that I have long admired, but have never made before.

The tart starts off with a crumbly French sweet pastry shell:

The tart shell is then filled with almond cream, and topped with poached pears which have been halved and sliced:


The tart is then baked until it is puffy and golden, as in the photo at the top of this post.

The pears are supposed to look like spokes on a wheel - hmm, my funny short pears don't quite look like that, but I still think it looks elegant. I haven't had a chance to taste it yet, but it looks and smells wonderful.

Thanks to Dorie for joining TWD this week and choosing this recipe. You can see all the other interpretations of the French pear tart by going to the TWD blogroll.
at

19 comments:

  1. The Blonde DuckJanuary 6, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    That looks really good! I love pears. I'm glad Dorie is baking with ya'll. That's cool!

    ReplyDelete
  2. PamelaJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    I wanted to do it because it was from Dorie, but I had to skip this week. Yours looks lovely, though!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jules SomeoneJanuary 6, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    It is so cool that Dorie is baking with us! Hope you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    Are we ever going to start that diet? haha
    So many sweets, so little time ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. DeeJanuary 6, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    How cool to have Dorie participate! I've bookmarked this in the book (then again, every other page is also dog-eared) so all I need is an excuse :)

    Happy new year, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. CakelawJanuary 6, 2009 at 9:12 PM

    Hi Blonde Duck, isn't it? I am stoked that Dorie can bake with us.

    Hi Pamela, I honestly thought that I was going to skip this one too, but then I couldn't help myself.

    Hi Jules, agreed! It tasted great.

    LOL Maryann - too true!

    Happy New Year Year Dee! This is a goodie.

    ReplyDelete
  7. chocolatechicJanuary 7, 2009 at 3:00 AM

    Looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. DanielleJanuary 7, 2009 at 6:12 AM

    Your tart looks great even with short pears! I hope you got a taste. This recipe is a keeper!

    ReplyDelete
  9. CakelawJanuary 7, 2009 at 7:44 AM

    Thanks Chocolatechic - it tasted delish.

    Hi Danielle - thanks. I did get a taste and it was soooo good - and I loved the crust, because it was so easy to make compared with normal pastry. I'll be making it again!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nancy/n.o.eJanuary 7, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    This tart is so good and not too difficult, especially if there's some tart dough squirreled away in the freezer along with some ground almonds, as I had for my second attempt. Love the way yours looks and I'm glad you liked it.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2009 at 10:24 AM

    I love that Dorie chose that and bakes with you! :) And what an elegant looking tart too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gretchen NoelleJanuary 7, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    How funny that you had eyed this one for awhile - I honestly don't remember having seen it before making it this week. And your cream...it looks so different from mine before baking. I am glad you put up a pic. Others said something about it being runny but mine way thick and I had to spread it. Strange how the same recipe can turn out different!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Susan @ SGCCJanuary 8, 2009 at 1:36 AM

    I had funny, short pears too. But, who cares! That was one delicious tart!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cooking for Comfort by JenniferJanuary 8, 2009 at 3:18 AM

    You did a fabulous job! Happy 2009!

    ReplyDelete
  15. CathyJanuary 8, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    First time visitor here -- you have a great blog! Your profile caught my eye, as I am an American lawyer who loves to cook (far more than practicing law, actually). Your tart looks fantastic -- glad you finally had the perfect excuse to make it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. CakelawJanuary 8, 2009 at 8:41 PM

    Hi Nancy, I agree - this tart dough was easy to make and tasted super.

    Hi Lorraine, I was stoked when I learned Dorie was baking with us - how cool!

    Hi Gretchen, it is funny isn't it. I have seen at least one other person who had thick almond cream. I figure so long as it works out in the end that it doesn't matter, and variety is fun!

    Agreed Susan!

    Thanks Jennifer - and Happy New Year to you too.

    Thanks for dropping by Cathy and for your lovely comment. Definitely a lovely tart visually and taste-wise.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AmyRuthJanuary 9, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    I'll bet you liked it. It looks great. Really a fun experience to bake with Dorie this week. Glad you didn't miss out.
    AmyRuth

    ReplyDelete
  18. LeslieJanuary 10, 2009 at 4:11 PM

    I think your tart looks terrific! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It did make the house smell amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. CakelawJanuary 10, 2009 at 7:44 PM

    Hi AmyRuth, it was a lovely tasting tart - one of the best Dorie recipes I've tasted.

    Thanks Leslie :).

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for dropping by!