Stilton and Pear Tart
A sophisticated savory tart featuring the distinctive tang of Stilton cheese beautifully complemented by the sweetness of ripe pears. This tart works wonderfully as a light lunch, appetizer, or part of a cheese course.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 sheet Shortcrust pastry(ready-rolled or homemade)
- 150 g Stilton cheese(crumbled)
- 2 medium Pears(ripe but firm, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
- 3 large Eggs
- 200 ml Half-and-half or double cream
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 tsp Rosemary(fresh, finely chopped (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan/Gas Mark 5). Line a 23cm (9-inch) tart tin with the shortcrust pastry. Prick the base with a fork.
💡 Tip: Blind baking the pastry for 10-15 minutes can help prevent a soggy bottom, especially if using a very wet filling. - 2
Arrange the sliced pears in a decorative pattern over the pastry base.
💡 Tip: Overlapping the slices slightly creates a beautiful visual effect. - 3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half or cream, black pepper, and chopped rosemary (if using).
💡 Tip: Don't over-whisk, just combine until smooth. - 4
Scatter about two-thirds of the crumbled Stilton cheese over the pears.
💡 Tip: Reserve some cheese for topping. - 5
Pour the egg and cream mixture evenly over the pears and cheese.
💡 Tip: Ensure the filling doesn't overflow the pastry case. - 6
Sprinkle the remaining Stilton cheese over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the pastry is golden brown.
💡 Tip: The tart is ready when the center is just set and doesn't wobble excessively. - 7
Let the tart cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before carefully removing it. Serve warm or at room temperature.
💡 Tip: This tart is excellent served with a simple green salad.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to hold their shape during baking.
- ✓If you don't have Stilton, a strong blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola can be substituted.
- ✓A drizzle of honey over the finished tart can enhance the sweet and savory contrast.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add caramelized onions to the base of the tart before adding the pears for an extra layer of flavor.
- Incorporate some toasted walnuts or pecans for added crunch.