LE TARTE AUX POIRES

Le Tarte aux Poires image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Pastry, recipe follows
1/2 cup butter
1 cup superfine sugar, sifted
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour, sifted
1 1/4 cup ground almonds
2 tablespoons Kirsch
4 large firm pears, halved, peeled, cored, bottom and top removed, stored in lemon water to prevent discoloration
5 tablespoons apricot jam
2 teaspoons lemon juice
5/8 cup cold water
2 cups pastry flour, sifted
1/2 cup butter, cut into small cubes and chilled
2 tablespoons superfine sugar, sifted
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

Roll out pastry to fit greased and floured 8-inch flan ring. Store in refrigerator to keep cool. Cream together butter and sugar until light. Gradually beat in eggs, then flour. Fold in almonds and Kirsch, until well incorporated.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove pears from soaking liquid, and set aside. Brush base of pastry with 1 tablespoon apricot jam. Pour frangipane evenly into flan ring. Arrange pears in a circle on top of the filling. Bake for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, slowly heat together remaining jam, lemon juice, and water. Bring to a boil and reduce until thickened. Brush on hot tart. Serve once cooled.
Place flour in medium bowl. Cut in butter and mix in sugar, until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Mix in egg, until pastry is just combined but still crumbly. Chill until ready to use.