Flavour combinations made in heaven include: tomato and basil, peanut butter and chocolate, salt and caramel. And pear and blue cheese. Here this magic duo star as the topping on a quick puff pastry Pear and Blue Cheese Tart.
Pear and Blue Cheese Tart
If you haven’t tried blue cheese with pears before, you are really depriving yourself and I strongly urge you to rectify that immediately. Get a slice of toast, top with thinly sliced pears, some blue cheese, a drizzle of honey and some crushed nuts (walnuts goes especially well). Take a bite and be prepared to make that noise that’s all too familiar when your mouth is stuffed full with something that is truly divine….nom nom nom….
What is it about that combination of flavours?? The salty, creamy, strong blue cheese. The sweet juiciness from the pear with added sweetness from a drizzle of honey. And the finishing touch – the crunch of some nuts. It is seriously divine. Divine, divine, divine x 10 million.
Throwing 4 ingredients on a piece of toast will make a dent in your craving. Or if it’s your first time trying that flavour combo, it will certainly convert you for life. But if you really want to go aaaaalllll the way, you’ve gotta try these tarts!
It’s not often that I find myself stuck for words. But honestly, as I munched through these (using my hands – knife and fork required too much patience), my mind actually went blank and I just savoured the incredible flavours.
Making the effort to caramelise the pears makes a world of difference as it softens them plus creates a syrup which is flavoured with the pear juices. Then you simply pile it onto puff pastry and bake until puffed and golden. Crumble over blue cheese and a scattering of walnuts (which I toss in the oven for the last 5 minutes when baking the tarts). If you are really inclined, serve it with a dollop of thick greek yoghurt on the side. The yoghurt adds an element of freshness to cut through the richness of the tart, but I am really in two minds whether it’s needed or not. I like it equally with and without.
I truly hope you consider giving these a go! The flavour combination really is mind blowing. MIND BLOWING!! – Nagi
Brunch Tarts
-
Bacon Tart with Pumpkin and Maple – a recipe from a trendy bistro
-
Bacon, Egg and Mushroom Tart – all your breakfast essentials, piled onto a puff pastry tart
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Caramelized Pears and Blue Cheese Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 sheet store bought frozen puff pastry , thawed (25 cm x 25cm / 10" x 10")
- 2 pears
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar , lightly packed
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg , lightly beaten
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (I used gorgonzola)
- 3 tbsp walnuts , roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F and line baking tray with parchment/baking paper.
- Cut the puff pastry into 4 equal squares (Note 1) and transfer to baking tray.
- Score a 2/3" / 1.5cm border on each piece. (Note 2)
- Cut each pear into quarters, remove the core and cut each quarter into 3 or 4 slices.
- Place the pear, butter, sugar and salt in a small fry pan or saucepan over medium high heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pear is softened and the pear juice has mixed in with the butter and sugar to form a syrup.
- Set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, brush the border of the pastry with egg wash. (Note 3)
- Pile the pear mixture onto each piece of pastry, staying within the border. Drizzle with some of the syrup.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until deep golden brown. Toss the walnuts onto the baking tray for the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes.
- Top with crumbled blue cheese, scatter with walnuts and drizzle with remaining syrup. Serve immediately, with yoghurt on the side, if using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Looks absolutely DELISH! I’m ready with my glass of pinot grigio!
That could have been ME writing that! (Though I think I had a glass WHILE I was making it….??)
OMG I don’t even know what to say about this. It looks amazing! Blue and pears is one of my fav flavour combos ever. I always drizzle mine with honey, but that brown sugar syrup sounds incredible. I’m so making this one!
Thanks so much Kristen! 🙂
I think I might’ve drooled on my keyboard a little bit! I can’t have blue cheese anymore (dairy allergy), but I can imagine and taste all of the flavors you’ve paired together. Bet this is amazing, it certainly looks incredible!
Hey Megan! Does your allergy extend to butter as well? I’m trying to think of an alternative to blue cheese but if you can’t have puff pastry either, it’s a bit of a mute point! (Though we do have canola oil puff pastry here in Australia which is dairy free!)
As gorgeous as ever Nagi. I love gorgonzola and this is one of the few times I am willing to have fruit and savoury food together. Normally I am anti mixing!
SAME! I don’t get the fruit and meat “thing” at all!! I don’t even like pineapple in fried rice or curries! 🙂
Hawaiian pizza is banned in my house!
ME TOO!!! Pineapple on pizza is SO WRONG!
Blue cheese was invented for pears. I’m convinced of it because it’s just such a perfect combination.
ME TOO!! 😉
Wow! Looks deliciously simple and mouth watering. Thanks!
Thanks Carmen! Really is simple 🙂 I saw something similar at a bistro the other day – it was selling for $8 a slice!! $8!! This works out at about $1.50 a slice!! 🙂
Now you’re speaking my language. This is my kind of food, especially in the summer. I love love making/eating tarts. More eating, but hey someone has to make them. I’m excited to try your flavor combo here, I’ve tried figs and blue cheese before and I know how could it can be. Gotta go get some pears!
Oooh, Jo, I know you like blue cheese so you will LOVE these!! Figs and blue cheese are a classic. One of the best pizzas I ever had (seriously!!)
Now, this is not fair! These tarts look fantastic! I am going to shut my computer, get my puff pastry out of the freezer and your recipe will be the first thing I’ll do tomorrow 🙂
Ha ha!! You make me laugh Oana!! 🙂
Perfect combo. Fistly puff pastry and pears and then bitter caramel with gorgonzola. It is a must have. You need to stop it now, you keep posting things on my list!.
Thanks so much Tania! Always makes me feel good when you like the look of something I share – I feel like it’s been validated! N x
Oh, fabulous – Nagi – it’s only breakfast time and I could go with these right now:-) Fruit and yogurt:-)
But of course Rachel. All the essential food groups right there! 🙂
this looks super delicious,Nagi! Caramelized peach will taste heavenly with gorgonzol! Sure a treat! thanks for sharing! I’m trying it soon! pinning for later!
Thank you so much Savita!! N x
I made something similar a few days ago, but it was a risotto! Yum! Love these flavors, especially with the crispy puff pastry. Totally drooling!
Risotto? You’re kidding, that’s genius! did you post it? Wow, that is so creative, never would have thought of it! 🙂
I don’t know whether these are savoury or sweet, Nagi, but it doesn’t matter (hey, they could be either!)
Nuts, fruit, honey and cheese are definitely a winning combination. Coincidentally, I had some gorgonzola on a sandwich today and thought ‘why don’t I eat blue cheese more often?’ Truly yummy!
I know, I wonder that every time I have blue cheese! Why doesn’t it make my weekly shopping trolley? It’s brilliant – and you only need a little bit to get a ton of flavour 🙂
Oh wow, that flavor combo sounds mind-blowing indeed, I’ll have to make these (along with dozens of other recipes from you…(Why do I have a blog myself again? :))!
So you can one up me by posting professional pics of my humble creations? 😉
OH YES YES! This is an awesome combo! I love pears and cheese! And the tart looks lovely! I
Thanks so much Mila!! N x
Totally agree – pear and gorgonzola are a match made in foodie heaven! I love that this is so quick and easy to make, yet packs so much incredible flavor! Oh Nagi, once again I’m sitting here and my stomach has started to growl uncontrollably after seeing one of your creations.
Well that’s how I feel overtime I see YOUR latest creation so it’s only fair to give back as good as I get it!! 😉
These look super delicious Nagi!!! I’ve tried blue cheese and pears together in a salad and love the combination. Need to definitely try them (just have to get some pears). Pinned!
Thank you so much Mira! Mmmm, I love gorgonzola and pear salad….it’s a meal! 🙂
Hi Nagi! I love pears with gorgonzola and these tarts are making my mouth water! My girlfriend just sent me a quart of really nice honey and I actually bought gorgonzola yesterday -now I have to find me some pears!!
It’s meant to BE!!! If you can’t find pears, sweet apples are a perfect sub 🙂 N x