“An April Saturday at Sunrise…Asian Pear Tartlets”
Upon awakening, three Asian Pears glowing on the kitchen counter, pate sucree, dollops of butter & raw sugar cubes, drinking cups of milky hot coffee…welcome April.
I almost always get out of bed before sunrise. It is my favorite time of day. Quiet. The light is soft and gentle, a bit blue-grey with pale golden tones, especially in early April. My kitchen will be dawn-dark, then slowly…very slowly sunlight creeps in, across the tables & counters, leaving everything in its path stunningly lighted.
(Notice how blue-grey the light is?)
Ingredients: Rounds of Pate Sucree, olive oil, Asian Pears ripe, good butter & raw sugar cubes (or just raw, loose sugar), sea salt.
There are many perks…both personally & culinarily…in my work as a food stylist. The perfectly perfect rounds of Pate Sucree (see above photo) were left over from a photo shoot job. I brought a few home for these quick & easy tartlets, freezing some for later ideas. But it is really easy to make your own. These are “round”…I could never roll out any dough this perfect, so when you make your own just let them be randomly wonderful. (see end of post for recipe for pate sucree)
Pâte sucrée is the French term for a sweet short crust pastry used to make tarts.
1. Peel Asian Pears & cut into thin wedges. Drizzle a bit of olive oil on each round of dough. Spread out with your hands. Pile pear slices in the center of each round.
2. Top pear slices with a few cubes of sugar & butter. Gather edges of dough up over the fruit leaving the center open. Sprinkle each with a pinch of sea salt. I used crunchy, flakey, Maldon, my personal favorite. Place each one on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, pop in the refrigerator for 10 minutes while you heat the oven to 375 degrees.
(Now…notice how the light changed in 10 minutes…tartlets are ready for the oven..the sunlight just beginning to top the trees.)
3. Bake tartlets for about 30-40 minutes until a deep golden brown. Serve hot or warm.
Because I did not have to make the pate sucree it only took about 15 minutes to make the tartlets plus the baking time. As I pulled the Asian Pear Tartlets out of the oven the sun absolutely flooded my kitchen…shafts of golden light hitting everything…a Saturday Sunrise, early April.
Quick & Easy Pate Sucree Recipe:
A quick & easy Pate Sucree….Pulse 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour + 1/4 cup sugar + a pinch of salt together in a food processor. Add 2 sticks of cold butter cut into random pieces + 2 egg yolks and pulse unto crumbly. With machine running drizzle in 1/4 cup cream or milk just until mixture comes together to form a ball. Remove from processor. Divide dough into two balls, pressing each into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic. Chill until ready to use or at least 30 minutes. Divide into smaller balls of dough and roll out into circles about 6 inches across.
April is here for the blinking of an eye…enjoy it.
What a gorgeous photo shoot… And a wonderful recipe.. I’ve never had Asian pears, not even sure if I’ve seen them in my area. I’m going to look though, I would love to try these beautiful little tarts.
I love your photos. Truly love them! I’m like you.. The early morning hours are my favorite.. The most peaceful, my time.
Wonderful post!
Thank so much. I appreciate your stopping by Food on Fifth. This was my first recipe using Asian pears and absolutely loved them.
I want my tartlets and I want them now!!! Mouthwatering and beautiful photos as usual!
I made them….we ate a few bites each and then I gave them away or we would have eaten them all! Thanks so much daughter of mine.
The light in the last few shots instantly took me back to my mum’s kitchen in Winnipeg – same sort of golden early morning light. I had forgotten how beautiful and full of promise it is! Thanks Teresa, that was a really lovely post. And those tarts look sublime…x
Yes Selma there is something about the light this time of year that also reminds me of walking into kitchens of childhood before sunrise and just being transported by the light.
Oh that beautiful light, I have missed you so! Stunning photography of amazing food as always 🙂 I would love to order one of these for Monday morning! See you soon friend!
I miss you as well and am so happy we will be working together tomorrow. You will make my food styling look stunning as always.
Your posts always leave me so hungry!
That is pretty much the point…as your posts do to me. Thanks much.
I wake up hungry having eaten a very light meal last night and I so want to bite into this tart. I love mornings too, but I like to wait for the sun to wake me. I have a very sunny house and I do enjoy noticing how everything changes all day as the light changes. Tarts are my absolutely favorite dessert. You could call me dough girl.
Thanks much Angela. Spring sunlight is just so special…maybe because Winter is fading?
Love this! Asian Pears are fantastic – I can imagine how wonderful they would be in a tart. I like how you made such petite pieces. Absolutely scrumptious looking!
Lisa thank you for stopping by. I have been so enjoying your blog as well. Happy April.
First thing I noticed when I saw this post pup up in my reader was the sunlight..and then you started writing about it! It’s absolutely gorgeous. And the recipe is too. Thank you.
Esther, thanks for the kind words and for stopping by Food on Fifth.
This would definitely fall into my favorite things category!
Lulu, thanks so much. Nice to hear from you. Hope you are well and having your own Spring kitchen fun!
like you, I am an early riser–get my best work done then. these days, I am grateful for the light, and the world turning green. winter felt extra long. how fortunate to have those pastry rounds ready-to-go for such delicious morning treats!
You know Nance there are many leftovers from my photo shoots that I turn my nose up at….but not these little just a bit sweet pastry rounds. I love having them in the freezer for when I am suddenly inspired by the moment!
I am drooling all over my keyboard! Mouthwatering pics and I can’t wait to try this!
Let me know how your turn out. This recipe is just easy as pie and could use any fruit you have on hand….berries, apples, plums.
sounds like an easy delicious sunday treat!
Would but could! One day I will surprise you .
Your do have a job that many of us foodies would enjoy and your perks were definitely put to good use. Your tartlets must have been a most enjoyable Saturday treat.
looks good Recipes
Mouth=watering. Looks delicious!