Pear and Bacon tart

This is an interesting blend of flavors that I think you will enjoy. I first sampled something similar when daughter H and I went to visit youngest son D. We dragged him away from work (he runs his own computer consulting company, which is 24/7) to go out to lunch with him. He took us to this wonderful little Bistro and out of curiosity, I ordered what was called a Pear and Bacon pizza.

I loved it so much that I wrote down all the ingredients I could identify and started experimenting on my own.

This is what I came up with. I have served it to Hubby 5 or 6 times now, and he loves it.

Pear and Bacon Tart

Ingredients

5 or 6 slices of bacon, fried crisp and crumbled

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 firm pear, cored and thinly sliced

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 an 8-oz tub of cream cheese with chives

or

use plain cream cheese and 2 tbsp snipped fresh chives or 1/4 cup green onions

1/4 tsp black pepper

1   12 inch thin crust pizza shell 

(use something pre-baked or it is impossible to spread the cream cheese)

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

several fresh sage leaves 8-12

or

1 tsp or so dried sage

or

fresh basil leaves 8-12

Honey (optional)

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Place pizza shell on an ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan. Spread with cream cheese. (Sprinkle with chives or green onion if using plain cream cheese) 

Sprinkle with pepper

In a small bowl, toss together pear slices and lemon juice. (This prevents pears from turning brown)

In another small bowl, place crumbled bacon and brown sugar and mix well. Microwave for 30 seconds or until brown sugar is melted. Set aside until cooled.

Sprinkle sugared bacon evenly over cream cheese on pizza shell.

Arrange pear slices on bacon.

Top with walnuts and feta cheese.

Arrange sage leaves over top or sprinkle with dried sage. (If using basil, place leaves on after cooking)

Bake in 400 degree oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until cheese begins to brown.

Pass honey for drizzling.

Makes 10 to 12 appetizer servings or 3 to 4 main dish servings