Puff Pastry Pear Tartlets
- 14 ounces all-butter puff pastry, chilled
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large Bartlett pearspeeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
- 1/4 cup pear brandy
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- Salt
- 6 tablespoons creme fraiche
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- On a work surface, sprinkle the top of the pastry with 1/4 cup of the sugar and, using a rolling pin, roll the sugar lightly into the dough.
- Flip the pastry and sprinkle with another 1/4 cup of the sugar.
- Roll out the pastry to a 12-by-16-inch rectangle.
- Using a 4-inch round plate as a template, cut out six rounds of pastry.
- Transfer the pastry rounds to a parchment paperlined baking sheet and poke them all over with a fork.
- Top with another sheet of parchment and baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is lightly browned.
- Remove the top sheet and parchment paper and bake the rounds for 10 minutes longer, until caramelized.
- Slide the paper and pastry rounds onto a rack and let cool.
- Meanwhile, in a very large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
- Add the pears and cook over high heat, tossing gently, until barely softened, about 2 minutes.
- Add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and add the pear brandy.
- Return the skillet to the heat and cook until the liquid is nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes.
- In a small skillet, melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter.
- Add the sliced almonds and cook over high heat, stirring, until golden, 3 minutes.
- Transfer the almonds to a plate and sprinkle with salt.
- Dollop the creme fraiche on the pastry rounds and top with the pears and almonds.
- Serve right away.
butter, sugar, unsalted butter, bartlett, pear brandy, almonds, salt, creme fraiche
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/puff-pastry-pear-tartlets (may not work)