PEAR-ALMOND TART

Pear-Almond Tart image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 51m

Yield 8 (4-inch) tarts

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 recipe Almond Pate Sucre, recipe follows
1 cup blanched almonds
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/2 pounds pears
4 teaspoons crystallized sugar
3/4 cup whole unblanched almonds
3 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. On a floured surface, lightly flour your rolling pin, roll out 1 piece of dough into a 4-inch circle. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place on parchment lined baking sheets.
To make almond meal, grind the almonds in a food processor, just until fine, being careful that the meal does not turn to paste. Turn the meal out into a medium bowl and add sugar, eggs, and lemon zest with a wooden spoon.
Cut each pear in half and remove the core. Cut each half into 5 or 6 thin wedges. Divide the filling evenly over the tarts, leaving a small border around the edges. Arrange the pears in a circular pattern on the filling. Sprinkle the sugar over the pears. Bake until the pears are lightly caramelized, about 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Spread the nuts on a baking tray and toast until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool and coarsely grind in a food processor. Do not grind too fine. Transfer to a medium bowl and combine with the flour. Set aside.
In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, combine the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the zest. Add the flour-nut mixture and mix to combine. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a ball. Flatten the ball, making a small round, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until needed.
Yield: about 2 1/4 pounds