Tarts

Tarts are delicious and a little out of the ordinary but non the less they work just fine during any occasion! Try this Pear Frangipane Tart if by any chance you get tired of all the pie. 

What you'll need

• FOR THE DOUGH: 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour, chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup ice water
• FOR THE FRANGIPANE: 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Pinch of salt
• FOR THE PEAR FILLING:
  3 ripe Bartlett or Anjou pears (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, cored, and each cut into 12 slices
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Pinch of salt
• FOR FINISHING THE TART: 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• Sugar for sprinkling
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)

How to make it

1. Make the dough. In a food processor, pulse the flour, butter, and salt until the butter is reduced to pea-size pieces, about 7 or 8 times. Pour the ice water in a steady stream through the lid opening, pulsing the processor 6 to 8 times as you do so. Do not pulse the mixture after all the water has been added (the dough should be dry and crumbly).
2. Place the mixture on a cool work surface. With the heel of your hand, mash it against the counter until it comes together and forms a rough dough. Shape it into a 1/2-inch-thick disk and wrap it in plastic. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
3. Next, make the frangipane. In a food processor, grind the almonds and sugar into a fine meal. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse in short bursts until well blended. Set the mixture aside.
4. For the filling, toss the pears with the sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Taste the filling, add more sugar if desired, and set it aside.
5. Heat the oven to 425°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 16-inch round, rotating it after each roll to prevent sticking. If needed, lightly dust with flour as you roll. Fold the dough in half twice and transfer it to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. (Place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes if it becomes warm and hard to handle.)
6. Unfold the dough and spread the frangipane in an 8-inch circle in the center. Add the pears, arranging them in an even layer on top of the frangipane. Fold the sides of the dough over the pears, pleating the edges as you go.
7. Brush the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle it with sugar. Cut the tablespoon of butter into small pieces, then scatter them over the entire tart. Reduce the oven temperature to 400° and bake the tart in the lower third of the oven until the bottom is brown and crispy and the top is golden, about 40 minutes. Cool the tart for about 30 minutes before serving it warm, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if you like. Serves 10.