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True South Dining Room
The Rees Hotel
Frankton Road
Queenstown
03 450 1100OOO

Oh here’s a goody (they’ve all been goodies what am I on about? Too much coffee today).The lovely Ben Batterbury- he’s a Brit dontcha know (we’re EVERYWHERE) gave us a gorgeous recipe for you to try in the comfort of your own kitchen and we love him for it. True South Dining Room is part of The Rees Hotel on Frankton Road. A few years ago a friend said “lets go and eat some food in The Rees”. I replied “There’s a restaurant?”
Oh was I in for a surprise.Sumptuous meat and wine pairing’s and ‘i’m going to die and go to dessert heaven’ were amongst the choices. Didn’t know it was there yourself? Get yourself in the car quick smartish my friends.

PEAR TART WITH WINDSOR BLUE CHEESE AND ROCKET
SERVES 4

FOR THE TART
1 SMALL SHEET OF PUFF PASTRY
5 PEARS
100G SUGAR
25G BUTTER
1 EGG FOR EGG WASH
4 WEDGES OF WINDSOR BLUE CHEESE

TO SERVE
1 SMALL BAG ROCKET
25G RED WINE VINEGAR
15G HONEY
75G WALNUT OIL
50G ROASTED WALNUTS

TO MAKE THE DRESSING MIX THE VINEGAR WITH THE HONEY TO DISOLVE AND THEN ADD THE OIL.

TAKE ONE OF THE PEARS PEEL, CORE AND CHOP. TAKE ¾ OF THE SUGAR AND ADD 300ML OF WATER. BRING TO THE BOIL AND POACH THE PEAR. DRAIN AND PUREE. RESERVE.

PEEL AND ¼ THE PEARS REMOVE THE CENTRES AND SLICE THINLY LENGTHWAYS. THE PEARS SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY UNDER RIPE.
ROLL OUT THE PASTRY IF NOT ALREADY ROLLED. USING A SMALL PLATE OR SAUCER CUT FOUR CIRCLES FROM THE PASTRY. EGG WASH THE SURFACE. SPREAD A LITTLE OF THE PEAR PUREE OVER THE CENTRES OF THE PASTRY.

NEATLY FAN THE SLICES OF PEAR AROUND THE CENTER OF THE PASTRY CIRCLES UNTIL THEY REJOIN AND THEN TUCK THE LAST SLICE UNDER THE FIRST ONE. THERE SHOULD BE A SMALL RIM OF PASTRY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PEAR FAN. FOLD THIS EXCESS OF PASTRY OVER THE OUTSIDE OF THE PEAR CIRCLE TO SEAL IT IN. PUSH DOWN GENTLY ON THE PEARS TO FLATEN. CHILL THE TARTS.

WHEN READY TO COOK  PLACE THE TARTS ON A BAKING SHEET AND BRUSH THE PEARS WITH THE MELTED BUTTER AND A SPRINKLE OF SUGAR. BAKE AT 200 0C FOR ABOUT 7 MINS BRUSH THE PEARS AGAIN WITH THE BUTTER AND RETURN UNTIL NEARLY DONE ADD A SMALL SLICE OF THE CHEESE TO THE CENTRE OF THE TART AND CONTINUE TO BAKE UNTIL THE CHEESE IS WARM BUT NOT MELTED.

REMOVE AND PLACE ON PLATE, DRESS THE ROCKET WITH THE DRESSING PLACE ON TOP AND DRIZZLE A LITTLE OF THE DRESSING AROUND AND SPRINKLE THE ROASTED WALNUTS OVER THIS.

Thank you Ben, my bike rides are becoming increasingly longer due to blue cheese and pie consumption. (And I don’t really mind)