Next month, I will be one of several chefs involved in a fundraising dinner for our food bank. To a group of 80 guests, we’ll be serving a multi-coursed Tasting Menu. Much fun, this allows for a wide swath of creativity on diminutive plates. I had been asked to prepare something salad-like, something to follow a soup course.

What to make?

I knew, of course, that it would be a seasonal dish. And, I wanted it to be meatless. Many of the chefs had picked a protein— beef, pork, tuna, duck, lamb, bison–for their centerpiece, so I wanted a departure from that. I also had a sense, with the wealth of good food ideas that I am connected to through blogging, that my inspiration was close at hand.

When I came upon this Pear and Walnut Crema Tart on Joyti’s splendid site Darjeeling Dreams, I got excited. Walnut crema! Her description of its taste and simplicity of execution sold me. Alone, the crema seemed incredible, but her presentation–layered with pears, thyme, mascarpone in a savory crust, would be nothing short of sublime.

I could envision a delectable sliver on a small plate, served alongside a ruffle of arugula, sheerly dressed. A drizzle of floral honey, perhaps, over the tart, or, better yet–a lemon-honey infused vinaigrette.

It was time to get to work, test out the recipe, and see how it would work for a large dinner party.

Following Joyti’s direction, I made the walnut crema first. I didn’t have shallots on hand, as her recipe lists, only garlic, which I cooked in the pot with the walnuts. While the walnuts were simmering to tenderness, I made my pastry dough. Both crema and dough can be made a day in advance—and actually benefit from an overnight stay in the refrigerator.

The crema took on the look and texture of hummus, and the walnut flavor, surprisingly deepened in the simmer, had nothing sharp or acrid. This is the sort of sauce, or pesto, that would be quite delicious tossed over pasta or served over roasted vegetables, like asparagus.

WALNUT CREMA
1 cup Walnuts
2 small cloves Garlic
pinch salt
4 T. Olive Oil

Place ingredients into a 2 qt. saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, and let simmer for 12-15 minutes. Drain, reserving a little “walnut water.”

Place into a food processor fitted with the swivel blade and pulse until chopped finely. Add olive oil and process until smooth, adding a tablespoon or 2 of the walnut water as well, so that the walnut crema will have the look and texture of hummus. Taste for salt.

Refrigerate tightly wrapped for at least overnight so that flavors will develop well. Keeps about a week, wrapped and refrigerated.

The following day, I gathered my ingredients. I peeled the pears–these were tough-skinned, from the country—but the pears that you use might have a delicate skin that will bake nicely. Use your judgement about that.

I made a few adaptations along the way.

Joyti’s recipe calls for mascarpone or cream cheese. I had a log of mild, tangy goat cheese that I thought could work well. (Use whatcha got!) I had no lemon thyme, but lemon and thyme.

I also compressed her recipe steps, somewhat. She calls for blind-baking the pastry shell, then filling it, and broiling it. For my large dinner group, I decided that it would be better for me to bake the shell and its filling all together.

It didn’t take long to assemble this appealing tart.

Before I placed it in the oven, I brushed some melted butter across the slices, to insure some glazy browning. Happy-Happy with the results.
The tart had a lovely crispened shell–sides and bottom. Walnut bits toasted across the pear-laden top. It cut easily, retaining integrity of layers, even when sliced into delicate pieces.

You’ll notice an inherent sweetness from the pears and bit of lemon, balanced by the tangy chevre, and anchored by the walnut crema.

It’s a simple, beautiful dish in all aspects–you could serve it as appetizer course, a fruit/cheese course in lieu of dessert. And, when paired with winter greens and honey vinaigrette, will be a stunning plate for the special fundraising dinner.

SAVORY PEAR-WALNUT CREMA TART
adapted from Darjeeling Dreams, with thanks to Joyti

1 recipe My Basic Pie Crust (click here )

1 batch of Walnut Crema
4-5 oz Goat Cheese
2-3 ripe Pears (could be Bosc, Anjou, Bartlett–I used a rustic country pear of unknown name from Maggie’s tree!)
Lemon–for zest (1 T.) and Juice (to squeeze over sliced pears)
1 T. melted Butter
a few sprigs fresh Thyme
a few Walnut halves and pieces

10″ pie pan or quiche/tart pan

Roll out pastry dough, place into pan and crimp edges. Spread walnut crema over the bottom, and follow with crumbled goat cheese. Peel and core pears, and slice thinly.

Lay out the slices, one slightly overlapping the other, in concentric circles, pressing the pieces gently into the layer of crema and cheese.

Squeeze a little lemon juice over the slices, and sprinkle the zest. Finish with a sprinkle of thyme leaves and walnut bits.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Makes 8 generous servings, or 16 cocktail “tasting plate” servings.

1. Barbara Says:
   November 17th, 2010 at 2:26 pm

   What an ideal first course, Nancy. The crema flavors sound wonderful and teamed with pears…how lovely!

2. Faith Says:
   November 17th, 2010 at 3:07 pm

   The fundraising dinner you’re participating in sounds like it will be a lot of fun (I love that you get to choose what to serve)! This looks like such a lovely choice. What a beautiful tart!

3. Christine @ Fresh Local and Best Says:
   November 17th, 2010 at 10:14 pm

   This pear walnut tart has a wonderful rustic feel to it. I am sure that it will be a big hit at the fundraiser!

4. Katarina Says:
   November 18th, 2010 at 3:18 am

   Looks amazing and no sugar! Love it!

5. Michele Napoli Says:
   November 18th, 2010 at 4:29 am

   Stunning! I love savory tarts, and this one surely will hit a home run at the fundraiser. Perfect.

6. my little expat kitchen Says:
   November 18th, 2010 at 7:02 am

   That walnut cream sounds amazing and the tart looks gorgeous. Savory tarts are the best!
   Magda

7. Kath Says:
   November 18th, 2010 at 8:54 am

   My goodness this sounds like a wonderful tart. The evening sounds fabulous and for such a good cause too. Good luck on the 10th I hope it goes really well.

8. nancy Says:
   November 18th, 2010 at 11:53 am

   Hi Nancy,
   Great idea to follow a soup course! Pear and walnut are such a fantastic combination – and nice sub-in with the goat cheese. Good luck with the dinner!!

9. Leisa Hammett Says:
   November 18th, 2010 at 2:09 pm

   Oh. My. I may have to send this one on to Dee. Thanksgiving?

10. goodfoodmatters Says:
    November 18th, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    Kath and nancy—thanks so much for the good wishes. the dinner is still 3 weeks away, but this time of year everything goes hurling down a fast track—and it will be here quickly!

    Leisa–yes, this is a good one for T-day, would make a nice app served with wine, or post-dinner course–a sort of fruit/nut/cheese thing all in one!

11. foodonfifth.com, Teresa Blackburn Says:
    November 19th, 2010 at 10:35 am

    Lovely, delicious tart. It seems that pears are “the chosen” for both of us this week. I just finished posting my “The Last Pear(s)” entry and then came over to Good Food Matters to see what you have been up to in the kitchen and saw this great pear blog! I would love this for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon snack with tea or for dinner….need I say more.

12. Maggie Says:
    November 19th, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Nance, this sounds wonderful! Good luck with the fundraiser – I know your tart will be a hit!!

13. Joyti Says:
    November 21st, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    Awww, I’m so delighted that you chose this recipe! Yours looks absolutely gorgeous too!
    I used the mascarpone ’cause that’s all I had on hand…but the goat cheese seems like a great variation.
    O, and good luck with the fundraiser.

14. Renee Says:
    November 22nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    How do I get invited to the fundraiser? A taste of that tart would be worth a lot of money!!

15. Juliana Says:
    November 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Wow, this pear tart looks so good…never had it with walnut cream…must taste delicious :-)

16. FOODESSA Says:
    November 22nd, 2010 at 7:17 pm

    Nancy…how great for you to be so incredibly involved with your community…and how fortunate for them to get such talent ;o)

    As far as the tart goes…other than the thyme herb…I’m sold. Thanks also for succeeding at having skipped the blind baking part ;o)
    The tart looks fabulous!

    Have a great week and flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

17. gg loyd Says:
    November 25th, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    Nancy, it looks delectable. It’s going to find it’s way onto my family’s table soon! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Love, gg

18. Denise | Chez Danisse Says:
    December 2nd, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    I love the top image. It looks perfect, gorgeous really! I was just discussing my lack of desire to cook today when I opened this post. I believe you have turned my mood upside down and inspired me. Your pear photo is great too. It seems to be posing for you. Such an unabashedly bold pear.

19. Katarina Says:
    January 15th, 2011 at 5:02 am

    Making this for a brunch this sunday- looks so good!