Normandy pear tart recipe
- 125 g (4.4oz) whole blanched almonds
- 3 -4 pears, peeled, cored, and cut in wedges
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 150 g (5.3oz) apricot jam
- 2 -4 tbsp Kirsch
- 100 g (3.5oz) caster sugar
- 125 g (4.4oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 175 g (6.2oz) plain flour, plus 2 tbsp extra
- 4 egg yolks, plus 1 egg
- 60 g (2.1oz) caster sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 75 g (2.6oz) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- For the pastry, sift the flour onto a work surface, make a well in the centre, add 3 egg yolks, 60g of the sugar, salt, 75g of the butter, and vanilla and mix with your fingertips.
- Work the flour into the ingredients until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- If dry, add a little water.
- On a floured surface, knead for 1-2 minutes.
- Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Grease the tin.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a circle, 5cm larger than the tin, and use to line the tin.
- Prick the bottom with a fork.
- Chill for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200C (400F/Gas 6).
- Grind the almonds to a "flour" in a food processor, then prepare the frangipane.
- To prepare the frangipane: with an electric whisk, beat the remaining butter (125g) and the remaining sugar (100g) for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
- Gradually add 1 egg and the remaining egg yolks, beating well after each addition.
- Add 1 tablespoon Kirsch, then gently stir in the almonds and remaining flour until well blended.
- Toss the pears with the lemon juice.
- Spread the frangipane over the pastry; place the pears in a spiral pattern.
- Set the tin on a baking tray.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 180C (350F/Gas 4).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until set.
- Melt the jam with the Kirsch, and work it through a sieve.
- Cool, unmould, then brush with the glaze.
- Serve warm.
almonds, lemon, apricot, caster sugar, unsalted butter, egg yolks, caster sugar, salt, unsalted butter, vanilla
Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/19532/normandy-pear-tart-recipe (may not work)