Almond Apple Tart Food

ALMOND APPLE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium sized bowl, while using a fork, mix together the ground almonds, sugar, butter, cornstarch, egg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
• Place down the parchment paper on cookie sheet.
• Slice puff pastry into 2-4 equal pieces.
• Place puff pastry on parchment paper.
• Spread the ground almond mixture evenly across the puff pastry.
• Layer the sliced apples over the mixture.
• Place in the oven and cook until puffed and golden brown, approximately 13-15 minutes.

APPLE ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.
• Grease (or spray with Pam) a 9 inch (22 cm) springform pan.
• Crust:
• In the bowl of your food processor place the flour and sugar. Pulse to blend together.
• Add butter and pulse until dough just begins to come together.
• Pat the dough onto the bottom and one inch (2.5 cm) up the sides of the pan.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator while you make the filling.
• Filling:
• In a food processor process the cream cheese until smooth.
• Add the sugar and mix well.
• Blend in the egg and vanilla extract and process until smooth.
• Remove the crust from the fridge and pour in the filling.
• Return to refrigerator while you prepare the topping.
• Topping:
• Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.
• Toss the sliced apples in the sugar mixture.
• Spoon the apples evenly over the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with almonds.
• Place the springform pan on a larger baking sheet to catch the drips.
• Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown (apples are soft when pierced with a fork), and filling is almost set.
• Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool.
• Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve at room temperature.
• If there are leftovers cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

FRENCH APPLE TART (TARTE DE POMMES A LA NORMANDE)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/3 cups of flour and salt. Add the butter, 1 egg yolk and water, and stir until the mixture forms large crumbs. If it is too dry to press a handful together, stir in more water. Press the dough into a ball, and wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten slightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm. This part can be done up to three days in advance.
• To make the frangipane, cream together the butter and 1/2 cup of sugar in a medium bowl until light and soft. Gradually mix in the egg and the remaining egg yolk one at a time. Stir in the apple brandy. Stir 2 tablespoons of flour into the ground almonds, then mix into the batter. Set aside.
• Roll the pastry dough out to about a 12 inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Fold loosely into quarters, and center the point in a 10 inch tart or pie pan. Unfold dough, and press into the bottom and up the sides. Prick with a fork all over, and flute the edges. Return pastry to the refrigerator to chill until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place a baking sheet inside the oven while it preheats.
• Spoon the frangipane into the chilled pastry, and spread into an even layer. Arrange the apple slices in an overlapping spiral pattern. Each slice should have one edge pressed into the frangipane until it touches the pastry base, and then overlap the previous slice. Start at the outside edge, and work towards the center.
• Place the pie plate on top of the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the filling begins to brown. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for another 10 minutes, then sprinkle sugar over the top of the tart. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the sugar caramelizes slightly.
• Cool the tart on a wire rack. A short time before serving, warm the apricot jelly. Add some water if necessary to make it a liquid consistency. Brush onto the tart for a nice shine.

FRENCH APPLE-ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Stir egg yolks and Calvados in small bowl to blend. Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter; cut in, using on/off turns, until butter is size of small peas. With machine running, add yolk mixture. Process until large moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap dough in plastic; refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Let soften slightly before rolling out.)
• Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 14-inch round. Transfer to 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Fold overhang in and press, forming double-thick sides. Chill while making filling.
• Make filling:
• Combine almonds, 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, 1 tablespoon Calvados, extracts and salt in processor. Blend until soft paste forms. Add 4 tablespoons butter; blend 10 seconds. Spread in crust. Chill until firm, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir apples, 1 tablespoon Calvados and 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl. Let stand 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Drain apples; overlap in concentric circles atop filling. Melt 2 tablespoons butter; brush over apples. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake tart 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F. Bake until apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Transfer to rack. Stir preserves and 1 tablespoon Calvados in small saucepan over low heat until preserves melt. Strain into small bowl; brush over apples. Cool. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)