Tarte Tatin Recipe

• 100 grams / 4 oz of butter
• 100 grams / 4 oz of white sugar
• 6 large apples
• fresh lemon juice
• 1 sheet of flaky or puff pastry (pre-rolled)

The pan you choose for Tarte Tatin is important as it must be able to withstand cooking on a stove top and in the very hot oven with extremely hot caramelizing sugar. A heavy bottomed seasoned cast-iron pan is preferable. Preheat the oven to 200°C,390°F or gas mark 5½. Measure your pan and cut your pastry sheet into a round disc to fit as a lid. Cover the pastry so it doesn't dry out and put aside for later. Peel the apples and cut into quarters removing the core. Brush with lemon juice sothey do not brown. Melt the butter and sugar together in the pan and slowly cook together until the sugar dissolves. Arrange the apple quarters in the sugar mixture in a snug even pattern. Cook over a slow to medium heat for around 20 minutes until the apples are slightly soft and the sugar has begun to caramelize. Place the pastry round securely on top of the apples. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. Place a serving dish over the pan and flip upside down to release the dessert, so that the pastry is underneath. Serve at once, sprinkled with icing sugar if desired.

(Serves 4 to 6)