If you are looking for a quick yet refined idea to impress at the table, the puff pastry tart with pears and brie is the perfect choice. An elegant combination of sweet and savory: the softness and savoriness of brie merge with the freshness of pears, while walnuts add a pleasant crunch and thyme offers an aromatic and fragrant touch… if you want to add an extra note of sweetness, you can drizzle some honey. Perfect as an appetizer, aperitif, or special brunch dish, this recipe is prepared in a few steps and will win over your guests!
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Seasonality: Summer, Fall
- Energy 407.73 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 27.54 (g) of which sugars 2.21 (g)
- Proteins 9.70 (g)
- Fat 28.85 (g) of which saturated 6.54 (g)of which unsaturated 18.32 (g)
- Fibers 1.94 (g)
- Sodium 265.86 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 90 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (rectangular)
- 1 pear
- 3 oz oz brie
- 5 walnuts
- 1 sprig thyme (or rosemary)
- pepper (to taste)
- honey (to taste)
Tools
- Baking tray
- Cutting board
- Nutcracker
Preparation
Wash the pear, dry it, and cut it into thin slices, removing the seeds inside.
If you are using an organic or untreated pear, I recommend leaving the peel on, otherwise peel it.
Cut the brie into thin slices, then into pieces.
Open the walnuts and break them into pieces with your hands.
Take the puff pastry and cut some strips. Place it on a baking tray and fold along the edges. Twist the strips and lay them on the base, as you see in photo 1.
Prick the pastry with a fork.
Add the pear slices, alternating with the brie, to cover the surface. Add the walnuts, a grind of pepper if you like, and some leaves of thyme (2).
Put the tart in a fan oven at 350-365°F and bake for about 30 minutes, until the pastry is golden.
When ready, transfer it to a tray and let it cool for a few minutes. If you like, you can brush the pears with honey, to make them shinier and provide a flavor contrast with the brie.
The puff pastry tart with pears and brie is ready, perfect also for an aperitif.
Tips and Notes
The strips of puff pastry are used to decorate the tart and help arrange the pears and cheese better. You can omit them, as they don’t affect the taste.
If your oven tends to burn surfaces a bit, add the walnuts only after halfway through cooking.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What pears should I use?
Any variety is fine, as long as the pears have firm flesh and are not too ripe. Remember to slice them thinly and evenly.
How can I substitute the brie?
You can replace it with other cheeses like gorgonzola or taleggio, or with stracchino if you prefer milder flavors.
