Pear Tatin with Star Anise & Almond Paste

Years ago, my sister and I gave our mother a pear tree. I believe it was for her birthday. We thought that our mother, an avid gardener, would be very happy with such a present. But no matter how much love and care she devoted to her garden and that little tree, not a single pear appeared. Quite a deception. It became an annual topic of conversation. The tree was growing perfectly well but never bearing any fruits.

Until this fall, when suddenly the tree had seen the light, and she