PheMomenon has moved!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds.

If not, please visit http://www.phemomenon.com and update your bookmarks and RSS feed.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

TWD: French Pear Tart

Photobucket

Did you hear?  This Tuesday with Dorie is really with Dorie?!  Yeah.  I know.  Too cool.  This week's amazingly terrific recipe choice is by none other than Dorie Greenspan herself.  A moment please.  I'm feeling a little overwhelmed...

OK.  On with the show.  So, Dorie chose the French Pear Tart as the first recipe for 2009.  I was super excited because I have had that one bookmarked ever since I got the book.  I was curious what it would be like since I have never (A) seen anything like the recipe described and (B) ever since I made the Almond Cream recipe (when I made my Rugelach) I have been having insane cravings to make it again.   It really is one of the most heavenly creations I've ever tasted.

My only nod to New Year's Resolutions this year is to enjoy life and the things I want to, but to be smart and enjoy in moderation.  That, for the most part, is what I do anyway.  I know it looks like I eat nothing but dessert here in the notoriously sweet-ridden PheMOMenal kitchen, but really, we eat food.  Seriously.  Don't laugh.  I'm serious.  (I heard that).

Ahem.

Photobucket

So.  What is my point?  This tart could break me.  That is my point.   I halved the recipe and it is a good thing.  Otherwise, I would probably have eaten the entire 9-inch tart all by myself.

I'm going to tell you a little known and ridiculous fact about myself.  My Senior year in High School (yes, that long ago) when the votes came in for Senior class titles - you know - best smile, best legs, most likely to end up in prison - and no, I'm not kidding, that was a real category - there was a vote for Most Likely to be a Used Car Salesman.  Yeah.  So.  Ummm...

One of my best friends and I won.  We were so proud.  We went down into the depths of the costume area for the Drama Department at our school and raided for the best - well, worst - car salesman outfits we could find - the plaid pants, the yellow jacket, the 70's style collars and a old fedora - it was good.  If I could only find that yearbook, I swear I would share the picture. It was classic.   

The theory behind the voting, or so I was told, went something like this.  They voted for the two people who it seemed could talk their way into or out of any situation.  When they put it like that, I have to admit, I deserved it.  I spent most of my Senior year breaking the rules, getting away with everything and never getting into any trouble for it.  Think Ferris Bueller, only friends with all the teachers and administrators instead of the principal chasing after me. It was awesome.  I still got good grades and didn't get into real trouble, but I also pretty much just did what I wanted all the time.  It was a great year.

Anyway.  By now, you have to asking yourselves what on earth this has to do with a French Pear Tart, blogging about food, and why you and I are both here.

Here at PheMOMenon, I like to talk myself into and out of things still - all the time.  If I really want something, I will work a way around to it to try to talk myself into it or out of it.  This causes a lot of over-thinking of things, but it keeps life interesting as well.

To make my reviews of things a little more interesting, I am committing myself to a little segment I have decided to call SSSS.  Pronounced sss of course, the fourth 's' is silent - probably as in the crickets chirping at how funny I think I am, when I'm not - ok.  Just kidding.  Really it is Sugar, Snark and Spice.  So, what does that mean, you ask? 

The Sugar:  What I have that is nice to say about something.
The Snark:  Mmmm... maybe not so nice, or maybe it is just the part where I share my abilities outlined above to show you how I can pretty much justify almost anything.  
The Spice:  What I really think.  Sometimes a little spice is good, sometimes not so much.  It could go either way.  Oh the suspense!!

Photobucket

This section will be highlighted at the top of every post, under my  favorite photo of the item in question.  Well, except this time, when it is going to end up right.... about.... here....
The Sugar:  I've already said how much I love the Almond Cream.  I still do. There is just something insanely good about it.  The crust is like a tender, sweet cookie, so what's not to love there.  


The Snark:  So.  Here's the thing.  Is there great quantities of sugar and butter involved.  Yes. Of course, silly.  But, there is also fruit and fruit is good for you.  I don't eat enough fruit.  If I make this and eat fruit that has to be a good thing, right?  Right.  Plus, add on to that the fact that almonds are a superfood (I think - either way, that's my story and I'm sticking to it) and this is practically begging to be eaten at least once a week.


The Spice:  Nothing bad to say about it, so you have to know that, even though I wasn't actually sure I was going to like the pears, I went with it anyway.  I did make two small 5-inch tarts instead of one huge one (dang it!) and that is how I went for the moderation.  Another keeper!
Make sure to head on over to the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll to see all the fabulous tarts running around today!

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your tart looks gorgeous! Love it! And I love your description of your senior year in high school.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Your new format sounds like it will be fun, interesting and informative. Love the post, and the tart really does rule, doesn't it?
Nancy

Manggy said...

Noooo... You were a rule-breaker? Really?! I wish I could've seen that! Barring that, I wish I could've tasted this tart :)

chocolatechic said...

Beautiful tart.

LyB said...

The almond cream really is fantastic, isn't it? Your tart looks beautiful, and delicious! :)

Anonymous said...

I would really appreciate a look at those saleman pictures. But, you know, when you have time. I do agree about the almond cream - tasty as all heck.

Rachel said...

Wow your tart looks beautiful! Definitely looks like a resolution breaker to me!

LaDue & Crew said...

If I give you my address will you mail the other one to me ;o) Looks SO delicious!

Anne said...

That's too funny about high school. I can't wait to hear more of your witty talks (and recipes, too- that tart looks perfect!)

Maria said...

Great HS story! The tart looks fabulous!

Danielle said...

Your tart came out great good job.
This was one of the best recipes I think I have made so far!

ostwestwind said...

Rule breaker, ts, ts ....

Your tart looks beautiful

Ulrike from Küchenlatein

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read the new format every week. This was a delicious recipe!

Madam Chow said...

We could have eaten the whole thing in in sitting, too!

Cooking for Comfort by Jennifer said...

LOVE the 4 s's!

You did a fabulous job!

Marthe said...

Looks perfect!! I'm not that big of a pears, but I can't wait to try this recipe!! The pears are poached, the rest of the recipe will have to wait untill tomorrow.

Amy of Sing For Your Supper said...

It looks great!! We really enjoyed this tart, too - it was SO good!!

-Amy
www.singforyoursupperblog.com

spike. said...

what a great superlative and a great tart!

Beryl said...

d'you know what else is a superfood? dark chocolate- loaded with antioxidants. its the only reason i force myself to eat the stuff (hehe)

AmyRuth said...

It has to be healthy, right? Sounds like another category almost. Very fun format. Its a great time of year to incorporate a new fun slant. Holly, you tart looks beautiful. Just took mine out of the oven and I can't wait to taste.
Happy 2009
AmyRuth

CB said...

Ok your whole car salesman memory cracked me up. I have no idea why but I can TOTALLY see it! HAHA I bet you can't guess what I was voted in HS. Anywhoo... what was I suppose to comment on? Oh yeah. Pear tart. Beautiful. Love the way the you fanned the pears out. ITA. The almond cream was AH-MAZING. I am thinking I'll be baking up some almond cream cupcakes soon. Digging the new SSSS segment. I promise I won't say the last "S" sound. Thats how much I heart you. ;)
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

Erin said...

Your tart looks gorgeous!

Gretchen Noelle said...

This was an amazing tart, wasn't it? Love your new reviews!

The Food Librarian said...

Love your SSSS (and the silent S too!) What a great looking tart!!

Rebecca of "Ezra Pound Cake" said...

Definitely one to share, because it's dangerously good. Almond cream! Where have you been all my life?

Beth G. @SweetLifeKitchen said...

Your tart looks fabulous! Great job~ :)

Molly Loves Paris said...

Your mini-tart looks as good as I know it tastes. I cut back by using only have the pastry dough, and I think I could have piled on more pears. As for spice, I think that one could tap onto the top a little mixture of cinnamon and sugar and have a great tart.

What's for Supper? said...

I love the new format. How fun it will be to read!

Di said...

Your tart looks lovely! I love the way the powdered sugar looks. Great justification in the snark. Sounds like how I try to convince my husband that it's okay to eat pie (or tart) for breakfast. =)

kimberly salem said...

it looks so delicious! love your new SSS section too:) i wish i was good at talking myself out of situations... i usually just embarrass myself, hehe;)

TeaLady said...

You are toooo funny. Love the tart. Looks fantastic. SSSS with the fourth silent. hahahahahahaha

TeaLady said...

Beautiful tart.

Jacque said...

Mmm, it looks perfect...ly delish! I wish I'd have remembered the sprinkling of powdered sugar. It completes the look.

Nice job!

Pamela said...

Looks stunning! Great post.

steph- whisk/spoon said...

SSSS--i like it! that's a gorgeous tart. i could down the whole thing, too! :)

Peabody said...

Gorgeous!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin