Several weeks ago, my mentor and dear friend Nathalie Dupree and I hosted a cooking class fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. We had a very ambitious menu, essentially preparing a modified Thanksgiving spread for 50 attendees, including a two-hour demonstration class — in less than 6 hours. There were many hands to help, but it was still a substantial amount to cook and prepare. During prep, I got wind that Nathalie had requested the ingredients for a Pear Tart because she didn’t think we were offering enough in the way of dessert. I had already been very concerned about making a Thanksgiving dessert recipe for 50, so I had offered up that I would make Ambrosia. So, how is it that in the end, we served her Quick and Easy Pear Tart? Here’s the conflict – and how I found myself adding a recipe a mere hour before class was to begin – she considers Ambrosia a salad and I consider it a dessert. Lesson #1.
You know, a Tart…
At first, I admit it, I sighed. Then, I chuckled to myself. I knew she was right. I smiled at her knowing what was right to do (serve a bountiful Thanksgiving meal) and at myself for acknowledging my teacher was still my teacher. As soon as we got through the preparation for the promised dishes I asked what she wanted in the way of a tart. She sort of waved her hand and said, “You know, a tart” and grabbed a nearby assistant that had never made a tart. My still-teacher proceeded to prepare with her new pupil the most simple tart, a veritable non-recipe. Now, honestly, it wasn’t that she taught me how to make a tart, but she did teach me that I had been hung up on the wrong thing. I was worried about what not to do, not what to do. Lesson #2.
Non-Recipes
“You know, a tart” is a non-recipe. It’s simple. Unroll a sheet of pie crust, top it with thinly sliced pears, sprinkle with sugar, and bake at 400° F until golden brown, about 20 minutes. When it comes out of the oven and is still warm, brush it with a clear jelly such as apple. That’s it. No measurements. No recipe. No bother. Lesson #3.
Now, to be fair, some tenets of baking should be known. The oven needs to be hot and the pastry needs to be cold. A good solid baking pear like a Bosc needs is best, and the pears should be fairly ripe, dimpled just slightly around the stem. The pears need to be thinly and evenly sliced. The jelly needs to be warmed until it’s smooth and glossy so that it can be brushed. But, that’s still kind of a non-recipe….Lesson #4.
Nathalie and I served it along side the Ambrosia and folks loved it. The beauty of the Quick and Easy Pear Tart was its simplicity and ease. It could also be turned into a savory course with a sprinkling of blue cheese and served alongside a simple arugula salad. I don’t normally use store-bought pie crust, but you know, in the big scheme of things, it’s not the end of the world. Lesson #5.
The Quick and Easy Pear Tart was a lesson for me learned on more than one level. We were there to raise money for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, help those in need, and educate as well as entertain the students. I didn’t think I could offer up such a simple dessert for a cooking class. I thought I would need to a make an elaborate pastry chef worthy creation, numerous towering layer cakes, or a multitude of perfect pies. I thought people would expect more. But, Nathalie was right, it was about serving something simple and satisfying. Lesson #6. Thank you dear Nathalie, for continuing to teach me.
Sometimes we think we’re supposed to do more than we actually need to do. It’s important, especially in these next few busy weeks not to create our own unrealistic expectations, a result of an overly-styled Instagram world, and more so, the assumed expectations of others. Lesson #7. Lastly, through the Simple Abundance Cooking Classes, each 1$ donated the Atlanta Community Food Bank is able to provide more than 9$ of groceries for people in need. Our Thanksgiving class raised $26,000 in groceries, Quick and Easy Pear Tart included.
Please consider giving to your local food bank this holiday season.
Bon Appétit Y’all!
Virginia Willis
Quick and Easy Pear Tart
Ingredients
- 1 sheet pre-made pie pastry
- 2-3 Bosc pears cored and thinly sliced
- 3-4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons apple jelly warmed
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Place the pie crust on a baking sheet. Roll the edges inward to form a rim. Arrange the pear slices in an overlapping circle. Chill until firm. Sprinkle over the sugar. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the pears are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the baking sheet to a rack to cool and while the tart is still warm, brush with the warmed apple jelly. Let cool slightly then using a serrated knife, slice into wedges and serve.
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