THANKSGIVING WHILE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET: DESSERT

Photo courtesy of The Mediterranean Dish

It’s no secret that eating the Mediterranean way helps promote heart health and weight loss. But fast-paced modern living makes it hard to stick to any diet, especially during the holidays. This is why our healthy Mediterranean alternatives make a great addition to your holiday menu.

If you love pears, you are going to fall in love with this dish! This simple, beautiful, healthy alternative to traditional holiday desserts will have everyone at your holiday party wanting more!

Enjoy!

Prep & Cook

1. Position one oven rack in the middle slot, and move the second rack to the top slot.
2. Preheat oven to 350° F.
3. In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar and salt. Add melted butter and combine to form dough.
4. Transfer dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. With your hands press dough to spread evenly over the bottom and on the sides of the pan.
5. Place in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes, or until crust turns golden brown. When ready, remove crust from oven and let sit to cool. Leave oven on.
6. Meanwhile, heat the fig preserves in microwave for about 40 seconds. Pour heated fig preserves through a mesh strainer, reserving both the solid fruit and the liquid.
7. Now, slice five pears into 1/2-inch slices, discarding cores.
8. Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a large cast iron skillet. Add pear slices and 1 tbsp water. Cover and cook on medium heat until pears are slightly tender; about 3 minutes.
9. Remove pears from heat and transfer onto a large platter to cool.
10. Take the remaining three pears and cut them in the same manner.
11. Now melt 2 tbsp of butter in previously used cast iron skillet. Add newly-sliced pears, chunks of fig preserves, and salt. Cook on medium heat, covered, for ten minutes; stir occasionally until pears are very tender.
12. Using a potato masher, mash the pear and fig mixture into a puree directly in the skillet. Let cook for another 5-7 minutes or until pureed mixture reduces and thickens.
13. Transfer pear-fig puree onto the now-cooled crust; spread evenly.
14. Now, take the cooled pear slices and assemble them in layered circles over the tart, starting from the outer edges (see photo).
15. Place tart on the middle rack of the oven. Bake in 350° F preheated oven for 30 minutes.
16. Warm up the strained liquid from the fig preserves for 20 seconds in the microwave.
17. When tart is ready, remove from oven and brush surface of the pears evenly with the warmed fig liquid.
18. Return to oven and place on the top rack. Broil very briefly; watching carefully until pears gain a nice caramelized look.
19. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 1 1/2 hours before serving.
20. When ready, place the bottom of the tart pan on a wide can of food. Hold the ring part of the pan and carefully slide it downwards (see photo).
21. Cut pear fig tart into eight slices and serve. Enjoy!