photo from eatwell101.com

It has been a busy week and I am in the mood for some chocolate.Chocolate and pears are  a match made in heaven and this is one of our favourite recipes.
CHOCOLATE PEAR TARTThe dough (for a 9 inches diameter tart)1 2/3 cups (165g) flour1 ounce (30g) caster sugar1 ounce (30g) ground almonds1/2 tsp salt4 1/2 ounces (125g) very cold butter, cut into small pieces3-4 tbsp of iced water
For the filling of the tart4 or 5 or pears (or a can of pears in syrup, well drained)1 cup (180g) of sugar3 ounces (90g) butter1 1/2 ounces (45g) cocoa powder (bitter and unsweetened)1 egg1 1/2 ounces (45g) of flour1 teaspoon vanilla extractPREPARING THE DOUGH1. In a bowl, sift the flour with the salt, sugar and ground almonds. Add the butter and mix with your fingertips until obtaining a grainy consistency. Stir quickly without overworking the mixture, adding just enough water so that the dough clumps into small packets.Form a ball and wrap in plastic then let rest in your refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.2. Roll the dough on a lightly floured worktop and line a pie pan with it. The dough is quite crumbly so you can finished spreading it with hands directly into the mold. Prick with a fork and put in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.3. Preheat oven to 360°f (180°c).4. Top the dough with a baking paper. Precook the tart for 10-15 minutes at 360°f (180°c). PREPARING THE FILLING1. Melt the butter with the cocoa over medium heat, stirring until the mixture is sm...