Recipes > Pear and Blue Cheese Tarts

Pear And Blue Cheese Tarts

Details

Puff pastry is topped with Dijon mustard, blue cheese, caramelized onions and a poached pear. For a delicious lunch or appetizer, serve these tarts with a simple side salad .
  • Serves: 4
  • Active Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Views: 34,191
  • Success Rating: 90% (?)
    0% - I fed it to the dog
    |
    |
    |
    |
    |
    |

Steps

Step 1: Caramelizing the Onions

Caramelizing the Onions
  • 4 tbsp caramelized onions

Method

If already made, measure out approximately 4 tablespoons of caramelized onions and set aside.

If you don’t have any on hand, follow the recipe for Caramelized Onions. This recipe makes quite a bit, but the leftovers are great on pizza and for things like the Alsatian Tart or the Tapas Style Pork Tenderloin.

Step 2: Poaching the Pears

Poaching the Pears
  • 2 poached pears

Method

Follow the recipe for Poached Pears. Cut the recipe in half, if desired, as you will only need 2 pears for this Pear and Blue Cheese Tart.

Step 3: Slicing the Pears

Slicing the Pears

Method

Once the poached pears have cooled, thinly slice them horizontally, about 1/8" -inch thick.

Step 4: Preparing Your Mise en Place

Preparing Your Mise en Place
  • 4 to 6 oz blue cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tsp Dijon mustard

Method

First preheat your oven to 325° F (165° C).

Crumble or break apart the blue cheese. Measure out the butter and Dijon and set everything aside.

Step 5: Rolling Out the Puff Pastry

Rolling Out the Puff Pastry
  • 1/2 lb puff pastry (about 225 g)

Method

Puff pastry needs to be kept as cold as possible before baking. As you are rolling out the dough, if it starts to warm up, return it to the refrigerator to chill.

Roll out the puff pastry into 4 rectangles (about 1/4" -inch thick) and large enough to accommodate the size of each pear. Place the sheets of pastry onto a baking sheet and into the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the tarts.

Step 6: Assembling the Tarts

Assembling the Tarts

Method

To assemble the tarts, remove the tray of puff from the refrigerator. Transfer the sheets of puff to a room temperature tray. This will help the heat to reach the pastry faster (rather than having to penetrate the cold tray first).

Spread about 1 teaspoon of Dijon onto the surface of each rectangle (leaving a clean border about 1/2" -inch or so wide). Divide the blue cheese among the four tarts and spread out evenly. Place the caramelized onions over top. Place a pear on top, fanning it out slightly. Finally, add a few dabs of butter over top each pear.

Step 7: Baking the Tarts

Baking the Tarts

Method

Transfer the tray immediately into the preheated oven. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the puff is cooked through and golden and the cheese is bubbling along the sides.

Step 8: Tossing the Salad

Tossing the Salad
  • 4 cups mixed greens
  • 1 tsp shallot
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1/8 tsp granulated sugar
  • 4 1/2 tsp champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Method

While the tarts are baking, make the vinaigrette. Finely mince the shallot and then place all of the ingredients (shallots through olive oil) into a small jar. Shake to emulsify.

Wash and spin dry the greens. Just before serving the tarts, toss the salad with some of the vinaigrette, to taste. Any leftover vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

Step 9: Serving the Tarts

Serving the Tarts

Method

Once the pastry is cooked through and golden brown, remove the tarts from the oven. Let sit for a couple of minutes to cool slightly.

Transfer the tarts to serving plates. Just before serving, toss the salad with the vinaigrette. Divide the salad among the four plates and serve immediately.

5 Comments

  • Dave E
    Dave E
    Great receipe. However, I did not like the flavour added by the caramilized onions. I would remove them from the receipe.
  • Eefa S
    Eefa S
    Super delicious recipe...5 stars!
  • Gabriela T
    Gabriela T
    Hi, I need to make these smaller and for a coktail party. Can I make them in advance and served cold? How can I keep them fresh for the evening? Thanks a lot
  • Gabriela T
    Gabriela T
    Hi, I need to make these smaller and for a coktail party. Can I make them in advance and served cold? How can I keep them fresh for the evening? Thanks a lot
  • Dan M Rouxbe Staff
    Dan M
    If you make these in advance to serve cold, you will want to make sure to cool them quickly to safe standards and keep them chilled until ready to serve. Just a heads up that the dough will not be the same texture after chilling them, so you may want to time them bake again or serve right when coming out of the oven.

Leave A Comment

Please login or join the Rouxbe community to leave a comment.