Hazelnut, Pear, & Blue Cheese Tart

Created by breezermom on April 16, 2017

Ingredients

2/3 cups hazelnuts, chopped (toasted, and divided)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 refrigerated (7 1/2 ounce) pie crust (1/2 package of 14.1 ounce package refrigerated pie crust)

2 tablespoons blue cheese, crumbled
2 pears, whole (large Bartlett or Anjou pears, peeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 1/8 inch slices)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple jelly
1 teaspoon water

Step 1: Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°.
Step 2: Place 2 tablespoons hazelnuts in a small bowl. Set aside. Place the remaining hazelnuts and sugar into a food processor. Process until finely ground. Add butter, salt, and egg. Process until a smooth paste forms.
Step 3: Gently roll pie dough into a 16 x 12 inch rectangle, cutting dough and gently pinchin seams as needed to crease the shape. Place the dough into a 14 x 4 1/2 inch removale bottom metal tart pan lightly coated with baking spray. Gently press the dough against the bottom and sides of the pan. Spread the hazelnut mixture evenly over the bottom of the dough.
Step 4: Bake at 375° for 20 mitnutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the blue cheese over the top.
Step 5: Gently toss the pears with the lemon juice. Arrange the pear slices over the cheese. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until the pears are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife. Remove from the oven.

Step 6: Place the jelly and 1 teaspoon of water in a microwave safe bowl; microwave at high for 1 minute or until the mixture boils. Brush the top of the tart with the jelly mixture, sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons hazelnuts.
Step 7: Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.