Pear-Custard Tart

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 ripe but firm pears, preferably Bosc, peeled, quartered and cored
• Peel of 1 orange, removed in strips with a vegetable peeler
• 1/2 vanilla bean
• Dough for single-crust pie or tart (see related recipe at left)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. sugar
• 3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract or 2 Tbs. brandy (optional)
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted