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. Make sure you use Australian pears and almonds.

Ingredients:

• 2 large pears sliced lengthways into ½ cm slices
• 1 Tbsp soft brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp blanched almonds
• 300g butter
• 300g caster sugar
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 300g almond meal
• 2 Tbsp self-raising flour
  
  Prepare a circular flan dish or cake tin (app 250-300mm diameter) by lining it with non-stick baking paper and sprinkling 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 180C for 40 minutes or so, until the filling feels firm at the centre.
  Remove and allow to cool a little.
  
  Place a large serving plate on top and turn flan 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.