Consuming Passions - Worldwide Events Managers

Upside-down Pear and Almond Flan

Serves:

Notes

The pear and the almond, what great partners they make, and they can be used together in so many savoury as well as sweet dishes. One of my favourite dessert dishes is Pear and Almond Flan – it’s also one of the simplest to execute. Fresh or Australian canned pears may be used.

Ingredients

• 2 large pears sliced lengthways into ½ cm slices
• 1 Tbsp soft brown sugar
• 300g butter
• 300g caster sugar
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 300g almond meal
• 2Tbsp self-raising flour
• 2 Tbsp blanched almonds

Method

Prepare a circular flan dish or cake tin (app 250-300mm diameter) by lining it with non-stick baking paper. Sprinkle on soft brown sugar. Cream together butter with caster sugar to create a smooth creamy mixture, with all the sugar dissolved. You could do this with a fork, electric beaters or a food processor. Add eggs and beat in. Mix in almond meal and self-raising flour Prepare the flan by cutting pears lengthwise Place the pieces decoratively in the baking tray Put blanched almonds in the gaps. Spread over the almond mixture. Bake in preheated oven at 190C for 40 minutes or so, until the filling feels firm at the centre. Allow to cool a little. Place a large serving plate on top and turn over. All being well, the flan will be released onto the plate. Remove baking paper. The pear and almond flan may be served on its own, hot or cold, or with a dollop of custard or cream.