Pear Tart

A fragrant tart with an orange-kissed pear filling in an allspice-scented pastry crust.

Recipe Ingredients:

Crust:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
6 tablespoons butter

Filling:
1 (0.25-ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup orange juice
6 pears, peeled, cored and mashed
3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup orange marmalade, warmed

Cooking Directions:

1. For Crust: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice. Cut in butter until crumbly. Knead until the mixture sticks together; press onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan; prick with a fork. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for 10 minutes, or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
2. For Filling: In a saucepan, combine unflavored gelatin and orange juice. Cook over low heat until the gelatin dissolves, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 mashed pears, brown sugar, salt, 1/8 teaspoon allspice, and 1/2 cup orange marmalade; blending well. Chill for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour into the prepared crust; arrange 3 thinly sliced pears on top. Brush with warm orange marmalade.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.