Apple, shallot, bacon and goat’s cheese tarte tatin

Method

1. Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick, then cut a circle 2-3cm larger than the frying pan/dish you’re using. Chill until needed. (Chill or freeze leftover pastry to use another day.)
2. Heat a splash of oil in the pan/dish and fry the lardons until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon lardons to a plate lined with kitchen paper.
3. Fry the shallots in the bacon fat for 5-6 minutes until browned. Transfer to the plate with the bacon. Add the butter to the pan/dish and fry the apples on a medium-high heat for about 3 minutes on each side until golden. Add the sugar and vinegar, turning the apples to coat as the mixture forms a syrup. Season well.
4. Arrange the shallots in the base of the pan/dish, some rounded-side down and some cut-side down for an attractive look, with the bay leaves.
5. Lay the chilled pastry circle over the filling, tucking the edges inside the pan. Put the pan on a baking tray, then cook for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden. Rest for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a large plate or board. (Wear oven gloves to protect your hands. Hold the plate/board upside-down over the tart, then invert.)
6. Crumble the goat’s cheese over the top, add ground black pepper and serve with a green salad, if you like.