A vibrant and colourful take on the traditional French dessert, using bright pink forced rhubarb and star anise – perfect for a winter dinner party
Prep:15 mins
Serves 8
650g thin-stemmed forced rhubarb100g caster sugar2 star anise25g butter1/2 lemon, juiced320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastryice cream, to serve
STEP 1You’ll need a large, heavy-based ovenproof frying pan (ours was 22cm), or a tatin pan. Using the pan as a guide, cut the rhubarb into batons to fill the pan – longer pieces look better than small pieces – then set aside.STEP 2Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7 and tip the sugar into the frying pan. Bubble until the sugar has dissolved and turns a shade or two darker. Add the star anise, then remove from the heat and lay the rhubarb in the pan, curved-side facing down. Dot with the butter and sprinkle over the lemon juice.STEP 3Trim the pastry to a circle slightly larger than the pan and put it on top of the rhubarb, tucking it in around the edges. You can now chill for up to 24 hrs, or cook straight away.STEP 4Bake for 15-20 mins until the pastry is golden and puffed and the caramel is bubbling around the edges. Put your serving plate over the pan and carefully flip it over (be wary of the hot juices). Serve in the middle of the table with ice cream piled on top, or cut into slices.
