CUT THE FRUIT RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the flour into a large bowl with the salt and baking powder, then mix. Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.
• Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, then set aside for a moment. Put a baking sheet in the oven.
• Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and sultanas and combine it quickly with a cutlery knife – it will seem pretty wet at first. Scatter some flour onto the work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it’s a little smoother. Pat into a round about 4cm deep.
• Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. You may need to press what’s left of the dough back into a round to cut out another four.
• Brush the tops with beaten egg, then carefully place onto the hot baking tray.
• Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top. Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream. If freezing, freeze once cool. Defrost, then put in a low oven (about 160C/140C fan/gas 3) for a few mins to refresh.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
  2. Put a 21cm-diameter frying pan with an ovenproof handle on a hob over a medium heat. Add the sugar and heat to a lovely caramel colour, stirring constantly.
  3. Chop the butter into cubes, then add to the pan with the ginger and cinnamon, and stir to combine.
  4. Peel and core the pears, cut into wedges, then place in the caramel and spoon over the mixture. Turn the heat down and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the pears are just tender and cooked but retain their shape.
  5. Remove from the heat and cool slightly, then arrange the pears prettily in the pan.
  6. Roll out the pastry to about 5mm thick and cut a disc slightly bigger than your pan (about 24cm).
  7. Carefully place the pastry disc on top of the pears and caramel, then carefully tuck it snugly around the outside of the pears and down into the sides of the pan.
  8. Bake the pie for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
  9. Remove from the oven and leave for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, place a large plate over the top and carefully turn the tart onto the plate. Serve with double cream.