COUNTRY PEAR TART

INGREDIENTS

 2 large ripe but firm pears  1 teaspoon plus 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided, plus additional for dusting  2 tablespoons sugar, divided  ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon  Organics Organic Ground

Cinnamon 1.5  1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg  1/8 teaspoon salt  1/8 cup whole-wheat pastry flour  1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter  2 tablespoons walnut oil, or canola oil  1-2 tablespoons cold water stem in tact. Toss pear slices and whole pear in 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle oil over the mixture and stir with a fork until evenly combined. Add 1 tablespoon water and stir until the dough just stays together when pressed with a fork; add up to 1 additional tablespoon of water if the dough seems too dry. Line a work surface with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, generously dust with flour and turn the

dough out onto it. Form the dough into a small patty, dust the top with flour and roll into a rustic 10-inch circle, adding more flour if necessary to prevent sticking. Transfer the crust to a baking sheet with parchment paper or baking mat in place. Lay the pear slices in decorative, overlapping circles on top of the crust, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Spoon any remaining pear juice over the slices. Pick up the edges of the crust using a spatula and fold over the pears. The crust will not meet in the center. Place the whole pear in the center. Bake the tart until lightly browned and bubbling, about 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

COUN TRY TABLE

An easy rustic centerpiece project that starts at the dollar store. You should be able to make it for under $10.00. All of the items were purchased at the dollar store except the wood slab and the paint, which can be obtained from a craft or home store. When you are shopping for the items, keep in mind that you can change anything with a likeitem to customize it to fit your taste. For example, you may not find the floral picks of cranberries, but you may find a garland with cranberries and pinecones. You can substitute this item easily. There are also different kinds of moss, so don’t stress, just use the one that works best for you.

SUPPLIES

 Four small clay pots  White, brown, silver, gold and paint  Sponge  Four candles from the dollar store  One bag of pebbles from the dollar store  One bag of moss from the dollar store  Four ornaments - you can either make these or buy them at the dollar store.  A slab of decorative wood from a craft or hobby store - or a one by six from your local home store.  One sprig of small pinecones from the floral section at the dollar store.  One sprig of cranberries from the floral section of the dollar store.

THE PROJECT IS EASY TO ASSEMBLE.  First, paint the clay pots. Sponge on the white.

Follow with small specks of brown, silver and gold, and wipe with clean sponge until you get the desired antique, weathered look.  Place pebbles in the bottom of the pot.  Place the candle on top and stuff the moss around the candle.  Put a dab of hot glue on the sprigs of cranberries and pinecones and poke them down into the moss.  Hang an ornament from each from one of the cranberry or pinecone sprigs and secure with hot glue.  The ribbon around the candles is an optional add-on and allows you to expand your creativity.  Place the finished candle pots on your wood base. CENTERPIECE ON

A BUDGET Hometown Moments & Memories

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