Pear & Almond Tart « Croan Self Catering Cottages in Ireland

Ingredients

• 175g butter, slightly softened
• 175g caster sugar
• 100g ground almonds
• 25 g crushed almonds
• 15g flaked almonds
• 75g self raising flour
• 2 free-range eggs, beaten lightly
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 or 4 ripe (but not squishy) pears
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 150g butter, chilled, and cut into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar
• 1 medium free-range egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon of very cold water