Ingredients

The following ingredients have 7 Servings
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
  • 1/2 pound blanched almonds
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon cold water
  • 4 pears (unpeeled, stemmed and thinly sliced)
  • Honey for drizzling
  • 2 to 4 ounces blue cheese
  • 1 large egg white (beaten with a small drizzle of water)

Instruction

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
  • Turn a baking sheet upside down. Cut the sheet of puff pastry in half lengthwise to create 2 rectangles. Place 1 of the pastry rectangles on the overturned baking sheet. Save the other rectangle for another use or a second pear tart.
  • Use a paring knife to score a line almost but all the way completely through the pastry about 1 inch from the edge of the rectangle to make a border. Use a fork to poke holes within that line so the dough will remain flat as it bakes while the border will puff to create a border for the tart.
  • Combine the almonds, sugar, and water in a food processor and grind to a paste. Spread the paste over the puff pastry.
  • Arrange the pear slices over the almond paste. Drizzle with the honey and crumble the blue cheese over the top. Lightly brush the pastry border with the egg.
  • Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares. Originally published December 2, 2011.