Autumn Pear Flan

• 1 9-inch rich shortcrust flan case
• 6-8 pears

Pastry Cream

Combine sugar and cornflour in the top of a double saucepan. Stir in milk and cook over direct heat, stirring all the time, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Beat yolks slightly, add a little hot milk mixture and pour back into milk and sugar mixture, stirring. Cook, stirring, over hot but not boiling water, until thickened (5 to 10 minutes). Strain and co