This luscious tart combines all the tastes we love: rich chocolate, crunchy nuts and the fresh taste of fruit. Fortunately, it all comes together in a recipe that’s heart-healthy and as easy to make as it is to enjoy.

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Serves:

8

Ingredients

• Non-stick pan spray

• 1 cup whole roasted walnuts

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 2 Tbsps butter, softened 

• 2/3 cup egg white (3 egg whites)

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• ½ tsp salt

• 3 firm, ripe Bartlett pears

• ½ lemon

• 2 Tbsps apple or passion fruit jelly

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch removable-bottom tart pan; set aside.

2. In a food processor, combine nuts and sugar. Process until very finely ground. Add butter, egg whites, cocoa, vanilla and salt, and process until combined. Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan.

3. Peel, halve and core pears. Cut lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices, rubbing them with lemon as you work (to prevent discoloration). Arrange slices on chocolate mixture, slightly overlapping, without pressing in.

4. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until top is puffed and a toothpick inserted in center of chocolate comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool completely in pan.

5. Heat jelly in the microwave or on the stove until liquefied. Gently brush pears with jelly. Let the jelly set, at least 20 minutes. Remove tart from pan and serve.

Per serving: 225 calories, 4g protein, 32g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 10g fat (2.5g sat, 7.5g mono/poly), 87mg sodium

Seasoned Cook
Instead of walnuts, substitute hazelnuts or almonds and various fruits in season. Using demerara sugar (a type of unrefined cane sugar) adds a pleasant molasses flavor.