The Mouse’s Picnic

The odd title for this unusual pear tart came about because the first time I produced it my brother thought the pears looked like a circle of little mice nibbling away. They certainly did when he gave them currant eyes and string tails! Even without such elaboration it is an attractive and delicious tart-a rich, crisp base iced with dark chocolate, with a centre of creamed smatana around which the pears sit. Smatana is a cultured milk with a wonderful flavour, rich, but refreshing, and it i