Pear Bruschetta with Hazelnut Cream
- Four 1/3-inch-thick slices of sourdough bread, 5-by-3-inches (6 ounces)
- 3/4 cup roasted, skinned and salted hazelnuts (3 ounces), chopped
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons amaretto liqueur
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, chilled
- 2 large, ripe Bartlett pears
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Put the bread slices on a large rimmed baking sheet and lightly toast for about 7 minutes.
- In a food processor, finely grind 1/2 cup of the hazelnuts.
- Transfer to a bowl.
- Add the confectioners' sugar and butter and beat at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the amaretto and vanilla and beat for 1 minute.
- Add the egg and beat until incorporated.
- Spread the hazelnut cream on the toasts.
- Peel, halve and core the pears.
- Slice each pear half lengthwise 1/4 inch thick; spread them into fans.
- Brush with lemon juice.
- Using a spatula, transfer the pear fans to the toasts.
- Dust the pears with confectioners' sugar.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the hazelnut cream is set and nicely browned.
- Dust the toasts with confectioners' sugar and scatter the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped hazelnuts over the top.
- Serve right away.
bread, hazelnuts, sugar, unsalted butter, liqueur, vanilla, egg, bartlett, lemon juice
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pear-bruschetta-with-hazelnut-cream (may not work)