Pear-Walnut Chocolate Tart
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 3 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and at room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large firm pear (such as Bosc, Bartlett or Anjou)
- 1/3 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chunks
- Make the crust: Pulse the flour, shortening, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until combined.
- Add the butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces.
- Drizzle in 2 tablespoons cold water and pulse until the dough just comes together.
- Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap; use the plastic to help form the dough into a disk.
- Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
- (The dough can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature.)
- Roll out the dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface.
- Ease into a 9-inch springform pan, pressing it into the bottom and 2 inches up the side.
- Chill 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the crust with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
- Bake until golden around the edge, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crust is golden all over, 10 to 15 more minutes.
- Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the filling: Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, 8 to 10 minutes; let cool.
- Pulse in a food processor with the butter, confectioners' sugar, egg, cinnamon and salt to form a paste; set aside.
- Combine 2 cups water and the granulated sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Peel the pear and cut into 3/4-inch chunks.
- Add to the saucepan and simmer until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Drain, then spread the pear on paper towels and let cool completely.
- Spread the walnut filling evenly in the cooled crust, then press the pear and chocolate chunks into the filling.
- Bake until the filling is puffed and golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
- Photograph by Johnny Miller
flour, cold vegetable shortening, sugar, salt, cold unsalted butter, walnuts, unsalted butter, sugar, egg, ground cinnamon, salt, granulated sugar, firm pear, milk chocolate
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pear-walnut-chocolate-tart.html (may not work)