Pear, Leek and Gruyère Turnovers
Golden little turnovers that marry the sweetness of pears with the mildness of leeks.
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
When autumn arrives and pears are perfectly ripe, here's an original way to prepare them! These flaky turnovers play with contrasts: the sweet tenderness of pears, the melting softness of leeks, and the character of Gruyère cheese. Perfect for an appetizer that's out of the ordinary or a surprising starter.
Ingredients
-
butter
-
leeks
chopped -
bosc pears kaiser alexander
firm, cored, ripe, peeled, chopped, (1 pear, but ) -
sugar
-
gruyère
grated -
chives
fresh, chopped -
puff pastry
-
eggs
Recipe steps
Prepare the leek filling
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and stir for 1 minute. Lower the heat, cover and cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the leeks start to brown.
Add the pears
Add the peeled and diced pears with the sugar. Increase to medium heat and sauté uncovered for about 2 minutes, until the liquid evaporates. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a bowl and let cool.
Finish the filling
Once the mixture has cooled, add the grated Gruyère and chopped chives. Mix well and set aside.
Cut the pastry
Roll out the puff pastry sheets on your work surface. Using an 11.5 cm diameter tartlet mold or bowl, cut 4 rounds from each sheet. Roll out each round to make 12.5 cm circles.
Fill the turnovers
Distribute the leek and pear filling on half of each pastry round. Brush the edges with beaten egg, then fold the pastry over, pressing well to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork.
Finishing touches and rest
Brush the turnovers with beaten egg and prick the surface with a toothpick in several places. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Baking
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the turnovers for about 18 minutes, until they are puffed and golden. Serve hot.
Tips and variations
- No Gruyère? Comté or Emmental will work perfectly. For a milder version, opt for fresh goat cheese.
- These turnovers freeze very well before baking. Take them straight from freezer to oven, adding 5 minutes to the cooking time.
Anti-waste tips
Don’t throw away the green parts of leeks! You can use them to:
- Flavor homemade vegetable broth
- Make soup with potatoes
- Create an original pesto with fresh herbs
- Add to pot-au-feu for extra flavor
