Chinon Apple Tarts

To make the red wine jelly, put the red wine, jam sugar, star anise, clove, cinnamon stick, allspice, split vanilla pod and seeds in a medium saucepan.

Stir together, then heat gently to dissolve the sugar.

Turn up the heat and boil for 20 mins until reduced and syrupy.

Strain into a small, sterilised jam jar and leave to cool completely.

Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Take the pastry out of the fridge and leave at room temperature for 10 mins, then unroll.

Heat the grill to high and heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

Cut out 2 x 13cm circles of pastry, using a plate as a guide, and place on a non-stick baking sheet.

Sprinkle each circle with 1 tbsp sugar and grill for 5 mins to caramelise, watching carefully so that the sugar doesn’t burn.

Remove from the grill.

Can be done a few hours ahead, and left, covered, out of the fridge.

Peel, quarter and core the apples, cut into 2mm-thin slices and arrange on top of the pastry.

Sprinkle over the remaining sugar and pop in the oven for 20-25 mins until the pastry is cooked through and golden, and the apples are softened.

Remove and allow to cool slightly.

Warm 3 tbsp of the red wine jelly in a small pan over a low heat with 1 tsp water to make it a little more runny, then brush over the top of the tarts.

Tip the crème fraîche into a bowl, sift over the icing sugar and cardamom, and mix together.

Carefully lift the warm tarts onto serving plates and serve with the cardamom crème fraîche.