How To: Make a rustic pear and goat cheese tart dessert, served hot or cold

Forget apple pie. Bring fresh summer pears into your kitchen for a wonderful dessert which blends ripe, juicy pears, candied ginger and creamy goat cheese into a tasty, rustic tart. This tart dessert will take some time and precision inside the kitchen, but it's well worth the effort. The crust is made with butter that's gently heated to a light brown and then chilled. When baked, the goat cheese gives a subtle tang amongst the medley of flavors.

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 8

For Brown Butter Pastry

* ¼ cup butter
* 1¼ cups King Arthur all-purpose flour + extra for dusting workspace
* 2 tbsp vegetable shortening, chilled
* 1 tbsp sugar
* ¼ tsp salt
* 4-5 tbsp ice water
* ¼ cup whole milk
* 2 tbsp sugar for topping tart

For Tart Filling

* ¼ cup sugar
* 4 tsp all-purpose flour
* 1-2 tbsp minced crystallized or candied ginger
* 4 cups peeled & sliced pears (about 4-6 medium pears)
* 1 tbsp lemon juice
* 2 tbsp honey
* 4 oz goat cheese, room temperature
* 3 tbsp sliced almonds

Special Equipment

* dough cutter
* parchment paper
* rolling pin
* pastry brush
* baking sheet