Drunken Pear Frangipane Tart

Summary
Prep time
Cook time
Source	DessertsForBreakfast.com
Yield / serves	8-12 servings
Rating	Delicious

Ingredients

• Sweet Tart Pastry Crust
• apricot jam/preserves

Drunken poached pears

Please note that the amounts in the recipe for poached pears are approximate.

• 1 cup white wine
• 1 1/3 cup red wine
• 1 cup water
• 1 whole vanilla bean
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 T cloves
• 2 extra ripe Anjou pears
• 10 firm ripe Seckel pears (4 Bosc pears also work, if Seckels aren't available)

Frangipane tart filling

• 3/4 cup blanched and slivered almonds
• 2 tspn AP flour
• 1 tspn cornstarch
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 6 T butter, at room temperature
• 1 large egg + 1 egg white
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 t almond extract
• 1 t brandy

Preparation

Pears

In a deep medium saucepan, combine the wine, water, and sugar. Split the vanilla bean; scrape the seeds into the saucepan and add the entire bean. Add the cinnamon sticks and cloves.

In a food processor, puree the extra ripe Anjou pears. Strain the puree through a fine sieve into the wine mixture in the saucepan.

Bring the contents of the saucepan to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.

Meanwhile, use a melon baller to remove the center of the seckel pears, starting from the bottom. Peel each pear.

Once the wine mixture has come to a simmer, add the seckel pears. Cook at a simmer until done, about 10 minutes, depending on the original firmness of the pears.

Strain the pears from the liquid once they are done and set them on a cooling rack to cool and drain. Keep the remaining poaching liquid in the refrigerator for future use.

Filling

In a food processor, combine the almonds and flour. Grind finely.

Add in sugar, butter, and flavorings. Blend.

Finally, blend in the eggs until the mixture is smooth.

Allow the filling to rest in the refrigerator for two to three hours.

Final Assembly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spoon the frangipane filling into the baked tart shell and smooth.

Slice the poached pears thinly and arrange on top of the frangipane filling. The filling will puff up during baking, so keep that in mind when you make your pear arrangements.

Bake the tart for 40-50 minutes, until the frangipane is puffed and firm to the touch.

Remove from oven and let cool.

Heat the apricot jam in the microwave until it is liquid. Using a pastry brush, brush a thin layer of glaze onto the tart.