French Pear Tart

Step 1

Position one oven rack to middle, and move the second rack to the top slot.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 3

In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar and salt. Add melted butter and combine to form dough.

Step 4

Transfer dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. With your hands press dough down to spread on bottom and onto the rims of the pan.

Step 5

Place in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes, or until crust turns golden brown. When ready remove crust from oven and let sit to cool. Leave oven on.

Step 6

Meanwhile, heat the fig preserves in microwave for about 40 seconds. Pour heated fig preserves through a mesh strainer to separate chunks from liquid.

Step 7

Now, slice five pears into 1/2-inch slices, discarding core.

Step 8

Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a large cast iron skillet. Add pear slices and 1 tbsp water. Cover and cook on medium heat until pears are slightly tender; about 3 minutes.

Step 9

Remove pears onto a large platter and let sit to cool.

Step 10

Take the remaining three pears and cut them in the same manner.

Step 11

Now melt 2 tbsp of butter in previously used cast iron skillet. Add newly-sliced pears, chunks of fig reserves, and salt. Cook on medium heat, covered, for ten minutes; stir occasionally until pears are very tender.

Step 12

Take a potato masher and mash the pears and fig reserves into a puree. Let cook for another 5-7 minutes or until pureed mixture reduces and thickens.

Step 13

Transfer pear-fig puree onto the now cooled crust; spread evenly.

Step 14

Now, take the cooled pear slices and begin to assemble them in layered circles, starting at the outer edges (see photo).

Step 15

Place tart on the middle rack of the oven. Bake in 350 degree F-heated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 16

Warm up the strained liquid fig preserves for 20 seconds in the microwave.

Step 17

When tart is ready, remove from oven and brush surface of the pears evenly with the warmed fig liquid.

Step 18

Return to oven and place on the top rack. Broil very briefly; watching carefully until pears gain a nice caramelized look.

Step 19

Remove from oven and let cool for at least 1 1/2 hours before serving.

Step 20

When ready, place the bottom of the tart pan on a wide can of food. Hold the ring part of the pan and carefully slide it downwards (see photo).

Step 21

Cut pear fig tart into eight slices and serve. Enjoy!