Spicy Pear Tart

Wrap a 10-inch round springform pan in 2 layers of aluminum foil to prevent leaking. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, until butter and sugar caramelize. Pour caramel into prepared springform pan. Set aside. Using large holes of a box grater, shred one pear. Slice remaining pears. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and oil together. Stir in the shredded pear. Next, stir dry ingredients into egg mixture and pour over the caramel base. Arrange sliced pears on top in a concentric circle, starting from the center. Bake in 300-degree oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the base bubbles and pears are soft. Remove from oven and let cool slightly in the pan. Remove sides of pan. Slice and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Serves 8.