Saturday, October 25, 2008

Buttermilk Pear Tart

This is one of those random recipes in which I put in no effort and expected nothing in return.

I am sure you’re familiar with this type of baking. For example, you have a cup of buttermilk about to expire, 2 pears that need to be eaten ASAP, one stick of butter, and you’re dying to bake something. So, you start “googling” your ingredients hoping to strike gold with a recipe.

I found a buttermilk cake/tart over at 101 Cookbooks. (I really love this site. I love the sides and main dishes from Heidi. She’s amazing!) And I actually had all the necessary ingredients (except raspberries which were replaced by the pears) to bake the tart.

I mixed the ingredients, poured batter into the pan, and threw the pears on top. It was only until the tart/cake came out of the oven and I had a taste; did I start to feel guilty. The cake was unbelievably delicious. Which made me feel embarrassed for just throwing the pears on top. I should have fanned them out and added the extra touches that a great cake deserves.

I was even more remorseful the next day when I warmed up a piece in the toaster oven and realized how great the cake still was. In order to alleviate myself of the shame I was feeling; I packed up the cake and took it over to a friend’s house. My friend later in the day sent me note stating that everyone enjoyed the cake and that it was all gone. And when would I be baking another?

The next time I find myself in this situation; I will give the recipe 110% because you never know when you might find a “gem”.

30 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

No worries, Gigi!!! If you ask me, the tart looks quite lovely; and hey, pears are fabulous for baked treats! :0)

Rico said...

Cakes cakes and more cakes...but this one just takes the cake is beautifull and looks very very tasty... keep cooking.
http://ricocoffeeshop.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

I do such googling very often...

your result is pretty!!!!

Katie said...

The cake looks wonderful. I think the pears are great arranged as they are, I'm all for the rustic look. Makes you want to eat a hefty slice.

Bunny said...

It's so pretty Gigi, I'm glad you were able to find a recipe. Yes I do that to isn't it great that we can!

Janet said...

Don't feel guilty Gigi! I think it's wonderful when something ya just throw together turns out to be a winner. You only know if you'd knocked yourself out to make it all "pretty" (and I agree with veggiegirl, it looks great!) it probably wouldn't have turned out so well.

grace said...

that's pretty much the beginning of all the things i make. :) i'm glad it turned out nicely for ya.

Anonymous said...

This would be a great idea to whip up for holiday dinners- Little effort, big reward!

Deborah said...

I love recipes that exceed your expectations! And I think it looks wonderful, despite just throwing the pears on top!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Gigi, darling, don't be so hard on yourself - the important thing is that you recognized how good the recipe was! And shared it with us!

Rosie said...

This tart looks wonderful Gigi and you've done a great job here!

Rosie x

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

I like the sound of this. Is it really a cake, or could it be served warm as a dessert?

Ann said...

Looks so light and fluffy -- and so pretty! Loving it.

Caroline said...

The pear tart looks delicious.

steph- whisk/spoon said...

that looks and sounds perfectly delicious! sometimes it's nice to only give 75% and feel like you got 100% in return...call me lazy :)

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous looking tart. I love 101 Cookbooks too! Dreamy recipe!

Botacook said...

Mmmmh I like this autumn-taste tart!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

That does look like a gem. I'll have to head over to 101 Cookbooks and grab the recipe to try for myself.

Anonymous said...

Oh I've had one of those days much too often! But none of my results come close to looking as pretty as yours. Thanks for sharing, Gigi! :)

alexandra's kitchen said...

um, i have a cup of buttermilk in my fridge that expired yesterday. I am so going to make this. do you think it would work with persimmons. I am dying to do something other than just eat my persimmons raw.
I am so excited about this recipe!

Rico said...

Thx for stopping by, so I had to have a look at yours which I will now follow as, this pear tart is to die for I wish I could help myself of the screen, but unfortunately technology still doesn't permit it.
But I must say it is delish, and very well photographed. Keep cooking GiGi.

http://ricocoffeeshop.blogspot.com

LyB said...

I am so glad you shared this! I have some buttermilk and apples that need to be used and this cake sounds perfect for them! :)

Deeba PAB said...

This look great & just the kind of thoughts that race through my head at time. I have apples, can make buttermilk...tempted to try! BTW, I love 101 too; it's a fab site!

Maria♥ said...

Gigi this Buttermilk Pear Tart not only sounds delish but also looks it!

Maria
x

Half Baked said...

Your cake looks lovely and sounds so good! Always great to find a new recipe!

Tina Leavy said...

looks oh so yummy.

eatme_delicious said...

Ooo this sounds and looks delicious! I never know what to do with extra buttermilk because I can only buy it in 1L cartons. I think the pears look perfect on top! No need to feel bad.

Mari said...

I love good plain cakes that you can add fruit to to make them out this world cakes. You definitely did Heidi's recipe justice!

Jacque said...

Congrats to you for finding a keeper. It certainly looks delish!

You had asked where I found the little molds I used for my kugelhopf. Unfortunately, I don't know what store they came from. I bought them used from a cake-decorator friend. They say "Jell-O" on the bottom. Sorry I don't have any more info than that.

The Food Librarian said...

This looks fantastic!! I want to make this soon!