COPPER BUTTER DISH RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut cold butter into small cubes. Place in freezer to chill further.
• PREPARE APPLES.
• Peel apples.
• Cut an apple into quarters. Cut out core. Cut each apple slice one more time so that there are 8 slices.
• Cube the apple by cutting each slice the "short" way 2 or 3 times. Apple chunks should be no smaller than 1 inch (or they will get too mushy when cooking).
• Cube the remaining apples.
• Put apples into an 8 1/2 x 12 inch au gratin casserole dish, or an equivalent baking dish (it's pretty forgiving).
• Pour water over apples.
• PREPARE TOPPING:.
• In the food processor put the sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and flour. Pulse until combined.
• Remove butter from freezer and put into food processor.
• Pulse to blend. Topping should be smaller than peas but not as fine as cornmeal.
• Add 3/4 cups chopped pecans pulse too mix.
• Sprinkle topping over apples evenly.
• Cover dish with foil.
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
• Uncover.
• Bake for 30 more minutes.
• Cool before serving.

Steps:

• Core the pears, then peel as neatly as possible and halve. If you like, they can be prepared up to a day ahead and kept in the fridge, uncovered, so that they dry out.
• Tip the sugar, butter, star anise, cardamom and cinnamon into an ovenproof frying pan, about 20cm wide, and place over a high heat until bubbling. Shake the pan and stir the buttery sauce until it separates and the sugar caramelises to a toffee colour.
• Lay the pears in the pan, then cook in the sauce for 10-12 mins, tossing occasionally, until completely caramelised. Don’t worry about them burning – they won’t – but you want to caramelise them as much as possible. Splash in the brandy and let it flambé, then set the pears aside.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll the pastry out to the thickness of a £1 coin. Using a plate slightly larger than the top of the pan, cut out a circle, then press the edges of the circle of pastry to thin them out.
• When the pears have cooled slightly, arrange them in the pan, cut side up, in a floral shape, with the pears around the edge pointing inwards. Rest the cinnamon stick on the top in the centre, with the cardamom pods scattered around.
• Drape the pastry over the pears, then tuck the edges down the pan sides and under the fruit (see Gordon’s guide). Pierce the pastry a few times, then bake for 15 mins. If a lot of juice bubbles up the side of the pan, pour it off at this stage (see guide). Reduce oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and bake for 15 mins more until the pastry is golden. Leave the tart to stand for 10 mins, then invert it carefully onto a serving dish.