What do you get when you combine buttery pastry, rich chocolate pastry cream and vanilla-poached pears? A divine dessert. Look for ripe but firm pears because they keep their shape after poaching.
- Portion size 10 servings
- Credits : Canadian Living Magazine: September 2008
Ingredients
Method
In food processor, pulse together flour, sugar and salt. With on/off motion, cut in butter until in fine crumbs with few larger pieces.Whisk egg yolk with 2 tbsp (25 mL) water. With motor running, add egg mixture all at once; pulse just until dough starts to clump together. Remove and press into disc. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chilled.
On floured surface, roll out pastry to scant 1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness. Fit into 14- x 4-inch (35 x 10 cm) rectangular or 9-inch (23 cm) round tart pan with removable bottom. Fold overhang inside, leaving œ inch (5 mm) above rim. Prick all over with fork. Freeze until firm, 10 minutes.
Line pie shell with greased foil, greased side down; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in bottom third of 400°F (200°C) oven for 15 minutes. Remove weights and foil. Bake until firm and golden, 15 minutes. Let cool on rack.
Chocolate Pastry Cream: Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt ; whisk in 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the milk. In small saucepan, heat remaining milk until small bubbles appear around edge; whisk into egg yolk mixture. Pour back into saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate, butter and vanilla until smooth. Scrape into bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on surface; refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.
Vanilla-Poached pears: Peel, halve and core pears; set aside.
In large skillet, bring water, sugar, vanilla bean and lemon rind to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add pears, turning to coat. Press parchment paper onto pears; simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender but firm.
Remove pears with slotted spoon, reserving syrup for another use. Refrigerate on paper towel–lined rack for 30 minutes.
Whisk chocolate pastry cream to loosen. Spread over pastry. Pat pears dry. Slice lengthwise into scant 1/4-inch (5 mm) thick slices, discarding smallest slices. Fan pears and arrange on pastry cream.
Nutritional facts Per each of 10 servings: about
- Sodium 67 mg
- Protein 4 g
- Calories 261.0
- Total fat 13 g
- Cholesterol 84 mg
- Saturated fat 8 g
- Total carbohydrate 33 g
%RDI
- Iron 9.0
- Folate 17.0
- Calcium 4.0
- Vitamin A 10.0
- Vitamin C 2.0
