‘Tis the season to entertain, and we all know planning ahead ensures a stress-free soirée.

With the help of a few clever graters from the Microplane® range, these tartlets can be made quickly and easily the day before. Serve cold, or warm in the oven when guests arrive.

The sweetness of the pear perfectly offsets the saltiness of the crispy bacon and both are beautifully complemented by the creamy goat’s cheese and peppery rocket.

Preparation Time: 10min
Cooking Time: 30min
Makes: 6 Tartlets
Equipment: 6 individual non-stick tartlet cases, baking paper

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C / gas mark 3. Put the butter, sugar and pear slices in a pan and gently cook until golden and set aside. In the same pan, fry the bacon until crispy and set aside.
2. Brush the six tartlet cases with a little butter and line with baking paper.
3. Unwrap the filo pastry and cut into six. Put one piece of filo pastry at a time into each dish.
4. Using a pastry brush, cover each piece with some of the melted butter and then layer with another piece of filo, brush with butter and so on.
5. Mix the sour cream, grated cheese and eggs together thoroughly. Season with salt, pepper nutmeg and the lemon zest.
6. Divide the mixture between the six tartlet cases. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20-30min until the filo is crisp and golden brown and the cheese firm. Garnish with a slice of pear, some bacon and rocket.

Microplane® products are available from Borough Kitchen, Divertimenti, hartsofstur.com and independent cookshops nationwide.
–