{TWD} French Pear Tart

A year ago, I hadn't even heard of Dorie Greenspan. I blame that on living in Peru. I could rattle off great chefs and fantastic pastry chefs from Peru, but I am often sketchy on "the latest" in others areas. When Laurie began to post her fantastic baked goods on Tuesdays, I watched with envy. And then I gave in and joined Tuesdays With Dorie.

What I love about regular baking is learning so many new techniques and combinations. There are many times that I must make alterations to recipes based on things that are available here. Often, I am introduced to steps of preparing a recipe that I have never experienced. Finally, by baking things that others select, I am surprised and pleased to find things that I never knew I loved before.

This week was no exception. For the one year anniversary, Dorie herself chose this weeks recipe. She picked something I had honestly overlooked the many times I had gone through Baking, From My Home to Yours - French Pear Tart. If I had seen it, I truthfully don't think I would have decided to make it. To me, it sounded reminiscent of a pie filled with almond flavored pastry cream topped with soggy pears. (Sorry, Dorie!)

However, I am a convert! I absolutely LOVED this dessert. I chose to use ground almonds in the tart dough and almond extract instead of the rum in the almond cream. The crust was flaky and the nuts gave it a great flavor. The almond cream was nothing like pastry cream. It was...rico, delicioso, memorable, que mas? Truthfully, I am considering how I can fit almond cream into other desserts, oh and do I have some ideas!

Thank you Dorie for choosing this recipe, thank you for writing this cookbook. Thank you Laurie for encouraging others to bake. Thank you to other TWD members who make baking on the weekends fun.

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French Pear Tart is being served up for Tuesdays With Dorie. This weeks TWD recipe was chosen by Dorie (where you will find this weeks recipe). Enjoy more French Pear Tarts by visiting the blogroll at the Tuesdays With Dorie website. Or, see what other goodies we have enjoyed on past weeks!