A simple dessert with a light texture and subtle but delicious flavours.

Ingredients:
100g ground almonds
1 tin of pear halves
100g softened butter
100g caster sugar
1 tsp cornflour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 medium egg
A handful of flaked almonds

Method:
1. Heat the oven to 160°C (fan 140°C/gas mark 3).

2. Grease an 18cm x 2cm tart tin or loose bottomed cake tin. Cut a strip of greaseproof paper and line the sides.

3. Drain the pears and slice each in half.

4. Beat together the butter and caster sugar until soft and creamy, then add the ground almonds, cornflour, vanilla extract and egg. Combine well.

5. Spoon into the tin and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon.

6. Arrange the pear pieces around the outside of the tart and place a piece in the middle to fill the tart.

7. Sprinkle a few flaked almonds on the top then pop onto a baking tray and cook for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown.

8. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out.

9. Dust with a sprinkling of icing sugar. Serve with a drizzle of cream or a scoop of ice cream.