Pear Tarte Tatin at the Cooksplayground

I have a recurring dream nightmare, I am either sitting in Mr Stanford's accounting class wearing my pyjamas or I  remember I was supposed to study for my biology final exam and didn't. While neither of these actually ever happened, there is something in my deep subconcious that haunts me.

So,20 years on I have gone back to school, but this is a much better school - there are no exams, I get to meet fantastic people from all walks of life, I cook then I eat (and don't even have to do the dishes) and I even take the leftovers home (a whole new take on homework). The Playground has no "popular" kids, and no one is checking how you walk or talk - it's how you stir the pot not the crowd.

If high school was this much fun, I am sure I wouldn't have my recurring nightmare, perhaps I would then dream about is getting as big as a whale and not fitting into my pyjamas.

So, you want to know where this CooksPlayground is? Click the link. I have to quote from Jenny's site, to  best to explain what learning to cook is about on the Playground. "Taking a recipe and owning it". We learn the basics of a recipe and then we play with flavours we like until we all have a dish, uniquely different and delightfully delicious. Jenny is a master of "ExperientialCooking™", she even has the trademark!

I am going to share picture of the Pear Tarte Tatin which we made this week. I won't give you the recipe, that you can get from Google - but I will share my inspiration to use crushed cardamom with the pears, a match made in heaven.

Served with some lightly whipped cream - makes a great simple dessert.