This is a standard tart in France, and I thought the combination of pears and chocolate on flaky pastry was so tasty I had to bring it back. This would be a perfect ending to one of the “Impressing Your Date” meals. It’s easy, tastes great, looks really cool, and can all be done ahead of time.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 6
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with oil or cooking spray.
Step 2
Place the sheet of puff pastry on the baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely. (Turn the oven off; the rest of the tart does not require baking.)
Step 3
Meanwhile, place the sugar, chocolate chips, and cream in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
Step 4
Drain the pear halves and cut each one into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on paper towels and let drain for at least 15 minutes. (If the pears have too much juice on them it will make the chocolate watery.)
Step 5
Spread the chocolate over the top of the puff pastry, avoiding about 1 inch around the outside edge. Shingle the pear wedges over the chocolate. (The tart can be kept at room temperature for several hours before serving, but leftovers should be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated.)
Food for Thought
Step 6
One medium pear can contain as much as 5 grams of fiber, which is beneficial to your heart, digestive system, and cholesterol levels. The same size pear contains only 100 calories even though it contains high concentrations of levulose, which is the sweetest of the natural sugars. Sweet, juicy, and healthy, how can you pass that up?
