Red Wine Pickled Pear Tart

Method

1. Begin by pickling the pears. Add the wine to a pan with the rosemary, cinnamon stick, garlic and sugar and reduce to 100ml. Take off the heat and add the distilled pickling vinegar.
2. Peel, core and quarter the pears then cut each quarter into 3 slices. Place the pears in the pickling liquor and simmer over a low heat for 10 minutes. Drain the pears and reserve the liquor.
3. To make the onion relish, sweat down the onions until soft. Pour over the reserved pickling liquor and add the soft brown sugar, cinnamon, orange juice and zest. Simmer over a low heat until reduced to a sticky relish consistency.
4. To make the tart filling, sauté the onion and garlic in a splash of olive oil with the thyme leaves and chopped sage until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the halved chestnuts to warm through.
5. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4.
6. To assemble the tarts, cut each pastry sheet into squares the same size as your dishes, about 8 layers per tart. Brush the dishes with melted butter and place a square of pastry inside. Brush the pastry with butter then place the second sheet of pastry on top with the corners at different angles from the first sheet. Repeat the process with all the pastry, making sure to rotate the angle each time to get a nice even crust.
7. Spoon half the chestnut mixture into each tart case, top with the pear pieces, and crumble the Stilton over the top. Place in the oven for 15–20 minutes.
8. Meanwhile, deep-fry the sage leaves in hot oil (at approximately 180°C) until crisp and aromatic. Drain on kitchen paper and set aside.
9. Top the tarts with crispy sage and serve with the onion relish and mixed baby leaves.

In collaboration with Pollyanna Coupland - Great British Chefs.

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