Surprise Tatin

This savoury tart consists of a fabulous combination of sweet, caramelized potatoes and onions that balance perfectly with intense roasted cherry tomatoes and zingy goat cheese, all nestled in a crisp, buttery, puff pastry shell.

A little time and effort is involved in preparing the components: the potatoes are boiled and sliced, the onion sauteed until golden and the tomatoes roasted (though store-bought sun dried can be used).

A caramel of butter and sugar is spread on the bottom of the prepared pan - you must work quickly as it hardens almost immediately on contact but an even layer isn't essential as it seems to melt and spread during baking. The tart is baked upside-down so the potatoes, onions and tomatoes go in next, followed by a layer of sliced goat cheese, topped with thinly rolled puff pastry. At this point, the tart can be baked or chilled up to 24 hours.

The suggestion is to serve it hot or warm but it's excellent at room temperature as well. This made for a delicious make-ahead and surprisingly light meal served with a salad.

We had this at my MIL and FIL's place tonight, at it was brilliant! Slightly sweet, sunny tomatoes in between, then the goat's cheese and the puff pastry - very delicious, and beautiful to look at as well.

They used less sugar than required as the last time they made it they thought that it was slightly too sweet, but I think that is because they use no salt. Either way, it works brilliantly with less sugar and no salt, and probably just as well with salt and the normal amount of sugar. They said it made the caramel more difficult to handle, turning it into a sort of toffee, but you didn't notice any of that in the result.

Serves four on its own as a light meal, or as a full dinner if accompanied by a green salad. Absolutely recommended!