METHOD
- Preheat oven to 180°C
fan-forced (200°C conventional).
- In a large non-stick ovenproof frying pan, melt butter on medium heat until foaming. Add sugar and vanilla and cook, stirring, until dissolved. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes, until beginning to turn golden around edges.
- Arrange apple quarters in pan, cut side up (apples will begin to release juices to stop caramel over-cooking). Simmer for 4-5 minutes, occasionally basting with pan juices, until almost tender and sauce is thick and golden.
- Carefully cover apple with pastry and use a wooden spoon to push pastry edges into sides of dish (caramel will be hot, so don’t use your fingers). Bake for 25-30 minutes, until pastry is puffed and golden. Place a large serving plate over pan and quickly flip over. Lift pan off gently, allowing sauces to run over apple. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly add extra sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff and glossy. Beat in cream of tartar.
- Transfer meringue to a piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm plain nozzle. Pipe onto tart centre, then caramelise with a blowtorch. Or transfer tart to
a tray and bake at 200°C fan-forced
(220°C conventional) for 5 minutes to brown. Serve warm or cold.