Upside-down pear tart recipe

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4.

2. 2

   Crush the cardamom pods and keep the little seeds.

3. 3

   In a saucepan heat the orange juice, sugar, butter and cardamom seeds until thick and bubbly.

4. 4

   Pour the syrup into a 25cm flan tin (obviously it cannot be one with a push-out bottom or it will seep through and go everywhere).

5. 5

   Quarter the pears and cut out the cores (no need to peel them).

6. 6

   Cut each quarter into thin slices and arrange symmetrically on top of the syrup in the flan tin.

7. 7

   Roll out the pastry and lay over the top of the pears in the tin.

8. 8

   Cut off the excess around the edges.

9. 9

   Sprinkle a little more sugar on top if you like.

10. 10

    Place the tin in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the pastry has risen and is golden.

11. 11

    Put a serving plate on top, hold it tightly and flip the whole thing over.

12. 12

    Tap the bottom of the tin to ensure that all the pear slices are on the plate, and remove it.

13. 13

    A magically neat and tidy tart will appear.

14. 14

    Serve with cream or my Quick Real Custard.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.