Rustic Pear Tart Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 7 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
• FILLING:
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried grated lemon peel
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 medium ripe pears, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• TOPPING:
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
• GLAZE (optional):
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Roll out to a 14-in. circle. Transfer pastry to a 14-in. pizza pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the sugar, almonds, flour, lemon peel and cinnamon. Add pears; toss to coat. Spoon over the pastry to within 2 in. of edges; dot with butter. Fold edges of pastry over pears.
• For topping, beat egg white and water. Brush over pastry; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 375° for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
• For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla. Pour over warm tart. Sprinkle with almonds. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 10 servings.

Rustic Pear Tart published in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2003, p136