Chocolate Pear Tartlets | Reason for Thanks

My life tumbled down a hill and crashed into love four years ago. It was on that day that I threw caution to the wind and let my heart go. Free. And it was at that exact moment when I knew that 'I do' was just a matter of time. Matter of when. And ever since that fateful rainy night, I've been thankful. I'm forever thankful.

Thanksgiving weekend is just a few days away. And like four years ago, I celebrate it with the woman that changed my life. Became my life. I've always known that holidays are important, and it's mainly because it brings family together. But this holiday has extra significance to me because it's the anniversary of the day I found my family.

I'm thankful for many things in my life. It starts with that first dance on our first date. The sky was covered in a black canvas as the last of the rain drops skipped down. And with the music playing in her car, we danced. Under the stars and under the veil of romance. She took a chance on me and I took a chance on love.

The list is big and grows every day. It is fueled with moments that define a person, and I'm lucky to be witnessing new definitions all the time. The pain and suffering and circumstance she overcame before I met her. I'm grateful for that. That she persevered and has overcome. It's that fighter inside of her that I'm grateful for every day.

As another thanksgiving inches its way forward, I take stock of my life. And where I came from. Alone and restless to in love and in my rightful place in time. With her. She praises me, supports me, encourages me and she lets me be me. Always. And as each day loses itself into another, I always remember. Never forget.

From then until now. All those sleepless nights that had me wishing. Wanting. Waiting. All those dinner dates at my place with food and wine and long talks. The vacations where our love was cemented and flourished. The engagement parties and celebrations. The tough times and real life twists and turns. Our wedding. Mine. To my beautiful bride.

I'm appreciative that at a later date in time I found my answer. And every single morning when I wake up I need only glance over at her soft eyes closed and locked away and asleep to know that this is where I was suppposed to be along. I no longer have to wonder what if, but instead what is.

This dessert isn't your typical Thanksgiving day dessert. But it's the perfect representation of my love. And appreciation. A rich chocolate ganache that illustrates the sweetness I pursued for years. And finally found in her. The pear is the fruit of my labour of love. And the beautiful tartlet is the one small package that contains all that goodness. The sweet surrender.

To you W, thank you. For your passions. For your love. For always believing. For giving me my hope back. My life tumbled down a hill and crashed into your love four years ago. And ever since that time I've been grateful. Forever grateful. For you.

From my kitchen to yours,

M.



Chocolate Pear Tartlets

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3 melted butter
• 1 large pear, thinly sliced (using a mandoline)
• 150 grams dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

Prep:

1. Grease 4 tartlet pans.
2. Using a large mixing bowl, place graham cracker crumbs, almond meal and baking soda in and stir to combine. Add in melted butter and whisk until well ombined.
3. Divide dough in four. Press each one into the tartlet pan. Using fingers, press each one evenly along bottom and up the sides. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place tartlets on a baking sheet and bake in centre of oven for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.
5. While the shells cool, make the ganache. Bring heavy cream to a boil over medium-high heat. As soon as it begins to boil remove from heat and add in the chopped chocolate. Whisk until smooth.
6. With tartlet shells now cool, place a slice or two of pear in the bottom and pour the chocolate ganache over top. Place one pear slice over top and chill.
7. When ready to serve, finely grate chocolate over top. Serves 4.