Almond Pear Torte

Preheat oven to 400F.

Place flour in a medium bowl. Add salt and sugar and mix well. Add butter and cut into flour, using a pastry cutter, until butter is the size of small peas. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Dough will begin to form a ball when enough water has been added. Gather dough with dry hands and form into an even ball. Let rest for 5 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into circle with ¼-inch thickness. Gently form into 10-inch tart pan or 9-inch by 9-inchsquare baking pan, making sure to press dough into crevices of pan and up the sides. Lightly prick bottom of crust with a fork. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until puffy but not browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine sugar with almond paste and mix until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add butter, pastry flour, almond milk and vanilla. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, whipping constantly. Pour mixture into crust. Arrange pears over filling. Reduce heat to 350F and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is set. Remove from oven and cool before slicing.