Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces and chilled
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, chilled
  • 3 tablespoons ice water, or as needed
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 pounds (about 4) Bosc pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk, plus 1 cup
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 12 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate

Method

  • For the pie crust: Sift the flour, sugar and salt into a large bowl.
  • Add the butter and shortening.
  • Rub the fats between your fingertips and thumbs, or use a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • One tablespoon at a time, work in enough ice water just until the dough comes together, being careful not to over mix.
  • Shape into a smooth ball, flatten into a disc, and wrap in plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to 2 days.
  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10 to 12-inch round that is 1/8-inch thick.
  • Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan.
  • Trim off any overhanging dough to make a 1/2-inch wide overhang.
  • Flute the edges of the dough with your fingertips.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Line the pastry with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
  • Bake until the crust is set, about 12 minutes.
  • Remove the paper and weights and bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Place a large 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat and melt the butter.
  • Once the butter has melted, add the pear slices to the pan, add the sugar, lemon zest, and cinnamon to the pan and saute with the pears.
  • Make a slurry using the lemon juice-water and cornstarch, add this to the saute pan and cook for 3 minutes longer.
  • Toss to blend, season with the salt, and remove from the heat.
  • Add the blueberries to the pan and stir to blend.
  • Place the fruit filling in the piecrust and place the tart in the oven.
  • Bake the tart for 30 minutes and remove.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes or longer.
  • For the ice cream: Combine the cream and 1 cup of the milk in a large heavy saucepan.
  • Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
  • Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into the cream mixture and add the bean pod.
  • Whisk the yolks and sugar in a medium bowl.
  • In a slow and steady stream, whisk 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture.
  • Gradually whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan.
  • Add the white chocolate to the custard, and stir constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.
  • Strain the custard through a fine- mesh sieve into a heatproof medium bowl.
  • Stir in the remaining 1 cup milk into the ice cream base and cover with plastic wrap, press the wrap against the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming.
  • Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours.
  • Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream machine.
  • Churn according to the manufacturers' instructions.
  • Pack into an airtight container and freeze until ready to serve.
  • Serve the torte with the white chocolate ice cream.
  • Garnish with blueberries, mint and powdered sugar.