50g/2oz parmesan (or similar vegetarian hard cheese)
finely grated
450g/1lb plain flour
100g/3½oz cornflour
150g/5oz icing sugar
2 free-range egg yolks
80ml/2½fl oz cold milk
3 pears
peeled and halved
1 small piece of ginger
finely sliced
500ml/17fl oz dessert wine
220g/8oz blanched pistachio nuts
180g/6oz icing sugar
200g/7oz unsalted butter
2 free-range eggs
beaten
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
Directions
For the pastry
grease six 10cm/4in fluted tart cases with melted butter.
In a mixing bowl
rub the butter and cheese into the flour and cornflour
then mix in the icing sugar.
In a separate bowl
beat the egg yolks with the milk
then add two-thirds of the mixture into the flour mixture. Add more egg mixture as necessary until the mixture comes together as a dough. Bring the mixture together using your hands and knead the dough lightly until smooth and elastic.
Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for one hour. Meanwhile
preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3.
Roll the chilled dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Cut out six 12.5cm/5in discs using a pastry cutter or upturned bowl as a template. Line each tart case with a pastry disc.
Place a circle of greaseproof paper into each pastry case and fill with dried beans or rice. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes
then remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
For the filling
place the pears
ginger and dessert wine in a pan
cover with a lid and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10-12 minutes
or until the pears are tender. (The cooking time will vary according to the ripeness of the pear.) Remove the pears from the pan using a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate.
Turn the heat up and boil the wine until it has reduced by three quarters. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Blend the pistachio nuts in a food processor until they resemble breadcrumbs.
Add the icing sugar and butter and blend the mixture to a paste.
Add the beaten eggs
flour and molasses and blend until smooth.
Divide the filling among the pastry cases and place one of the poached pear halves on top.
