Maria Mideos’ Mami’s Pear Tart From Hetty McKinnon

Today’s recipe from Hetty McKinnon’s recipe book Family comes courtesy of Maria Mideos, a Brooklyn-based, Portugal born-and-raised photographer.

Mami’s Pear Tart is ideal for afternoon tea, dessert, or perhaps even a cheeky breakfast option? After all… it contains fruit!?

Written

Hetty McKinnon

For the final recipe from ‘Family’ Hetty McKinnon shares Maria Mideos’ Mami’s Pear Tart. Photo – Luisa Brimble.

Maria is Hetty’s friend, based in Brooklyn. Photo – Luisa Brimble.

From the pages of ‘Family’. Photo – Luisa Brimble.

Writer

Hetty McKinnon

28th of August 2018

As Maria Mideos explains, ‘My mum’s pear tart was her signature dish. Even though I had never tasted it, the smell in the kitchen is a memory that never goes away. We used to go to the market together to choose the pears. Every time I cook it, I close my eyes and the smell around me is the closest thing to hugging her again. It’s the most important recipe I can ever make – it’s our way of meeting each other.’

Ingredients (serves 8)

1-2 pears, finely sliced

Icing sugar, to dust (optional)

For the crust

300g (2 cups) plain flour

115g good-quality butter, at room temperature, cut into small pieces

Pinch of salt

Pinch of ground cinnamon

1 egg

For the filling

230g (1 cup) caster sugar

3 eggs

85g good-quality butter, melted

2-3 pears, peeled and finely sliced

Method

If preparing pears beforehand, make sure you keep them in water, with a squeeze of lemon juice added, to stop them from oxidising and turning brown.

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Grease a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin.

For the crust, place the flour and butter in a large bowl. Rub the butter into the flour until it is a sandy consistency. Add the salt and cinnamon and mix well, then add the egg and mix with your hands until the dough comes together. Press the dough into the base and side of the prepared tart tin, place in the oven and bake for 5-6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.

For the filling, whisk together the sugar and eggs until combined. Add the butter and beat until combined. Add the butter and beat until the mixture is smooth. Using a spoon, fold in the peeled and slice pears.

Pour the filling into the tart shell and arrange the unpeeled sliced pears on top. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, until golden and firm. Remove the tart from the oven and leave to cool for about 30 minutes. To serve, dust with icing sugar, if you like.

‘Family’ by Hetty McKinnon, with photography by Luisa Brimble and published by Pan Macmillan Australia, is available in paperback (RRP$39.95) or e-book (RRP$17.95) online or from all good bookshops throughout Australia.