Chocolate Pear Tart

This tart is my Mum's speciality and very very popular in our family. It's also really easy to make but looks rather fancy so is perfect for wowing your guests at a dinner party.

I've actually used canned pears in this tart as I had two tins that needed using up and the result is rather surprising. As long as you drain them properly before usage, you would never know that they aren't straight off a tree (and much cheaper too)!

The rich, creamy chocolate complements the juicy pears incredibly and there's no need to feel guilty because fruit balances out chocolate, right?

Ingredients

1 quantity of shortcrust pastry

250g plain flour

125g butter

splash of water

125g ground almonds

125g butter

95g caster sugar

180g melted dark chocolate

2 eggs

2 tins of pear halves

Method

1. Make the pastry by rubbing together the flour, butter and a little water until it forms a dough.

2. Chill in the fridge for 30 mins.

3. Once at room temperature again, roll it out, large enough to fill a circular tart tin.

4. Press the pastry into the tin, prick the base with a fork,line with baking paper and fill with baking beans to blind bake at 190C for 10 mins.

5. Now for the filling: mix the almonds, eggs, butter and sugar together. Then add the melted chocolate while still warm.

6. Pour the filling into the pastry case then press the halved pears into it, evenly.

7. Turn the oven down to 170C and bake the tart for 45 mins until the filling is firm to the touch.

8. Enjoy hot or cold with a dollop of whipped cream.