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1
Combine 1/2 cup pistachios and 1/3 cup sugar in processor and blend until pistachios are chopped. DO AHEAD
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2
Blend flour, sugar, and salt in processor. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water; pulse until mixture begins to clump, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dry. Gather into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill overnight. DO AHEAD
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3
Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 13-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Trim overhang to 3/4 inch. Fold in and press, forming double-thick sides and pressing up 1/4 inch above pan sides. Pierce all over with fork. Chill 30 minutes, then freeze 15 minutes.
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4
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400u00b0F. Bake crust until golden, piercing with fork if crust bubbles, about 30 minutes. Cool on rack. DO AHEAD
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5
Combine first 7 ingredients in large skillet; bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add pears; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until pears are tender when pierced with knife, turning occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes depending on ripeness. Using slotted spoon, transfer pears to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish in single layer. Add cranberries to liquid in skillet; simmer until berries begin to soften but remain intact, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to plate in single layer. Cover; chill at least 3 hours. Boil poaching liquid in skillet until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, stirring often, about 10 minutes. DO AHEAD
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6
Drain pears on paper towels 10 minutes. Brush bottom of crust with 2 tablespoons poaching syrup; sprinkle pistachio sugar over. Starting at outer edges of crust, arrange pears closely in starburst pattern with stem ends toward center. Arrange remaining pears in center. Brush pears lightly with some of syrup. Toss cranberries with 1 tablespoon syrup; scatter over pears. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios. DO AHEAD
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7
Serve tart with vanilla ice cream.
