Pear, cardamom and saffron Tarte Tatin

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/180ºC fan assisted/gas mark 6. Peel the pears and cut in half. Remove the core with either a melon baller or a small knife. Pat dry with kitchen roll and place in the fridge on a plate; this will help the pears to dry out a little more.
2. Heat a non-stick saucepan until it begins to smoke. Add the sugar and allow it to caramelise. Once the caramel is a deep golden colour, add the butter, crushed cardamom seeds and saffron. Shake around in the pan until the butter has melted.
3. Remove the pears from the fridge and wipe with more kitchen roll. Slice on an angle to fan the pear out slightly, making sure not to cut all the way through. Add the caramel to the base of four individual tart tins, then top with a sliced pear half. Cut the pastry into four, a little larger than the tart tins, and carefully tuck the sides down under the pear. Sprinkle with icing sugar and bake for 8-10 minutes.