METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°C).
2. In a medium bowl, place the almond meal, flaked almonds, egg whites and sugar and mix to combine. Divide mixture into 4 and press into 10cm (4 inch) rounds on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Bake for 10 minutes.
3. Cut the pear in half vertically and use a teaspoon to remove the core. Cut each half into half again so you have 4 pear quarters. Make 5 slices down the length of each quarter, keeping the top 1cm (½ inch) near the stem intact.
4. Gently fan out the pear quarters and place 1 on each tart base. Brush pear quarters with maple and bake for 15 minutes or until golden and crispy around the edges. 
5. Brush pears with remaining maple and serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice-cream. Serves 4

DONNA’S TIP
+ I love that something so simple to make can look and taste so good. Sticky wafer-like pear atop crisp almond biscuits make a perfect match.

Photography: Con Poulos