Almond Rhubarb Pastry Food

ALMOND PASTRY PUFFS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour and salt; cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons cold water; stir with a fork until blended. Shape dough into a ball; divide in half. Place dough 3 in. apart on an ungreased baking sheet; pat each into a 12x3-in. rectangle., In a large saucepan, bring remaining butter and water to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in extract and remaining flour until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. , Spread over rectangles. Bake at 400° until topping is lightly browned, 18-20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire racks., For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, water and extract; beat until smooth. Spread over pastries; sprinkle with almonds.

RHUBARB PUFFS WITH OATY STREUSEL TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. In a bowl, toss the rhubarb with cinnamon, 1 tbsp flour and 2 tbsp sugar. Line a baking sheet with a piece of baking parchment. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to approx 20 x 30cm, then cut into quarters and place on the sheet.
• Rub together the remaining flour, sugar, butter and oats to make a rough crumble mixture. Divide the rhubarb between the pastry quarters, leaving a 1cm rim. Sprinkle the oat mixture over, then fold and pinch each corner to keep the filling in. Bake for 20-25 mins, then serve warm.

RASPBERRY TART WITH ALMOND PASTRY

Steps:

• Make the pastry by tipping all the ingredients, except the yolk, into a food processor and pulsing to the texture of breadcrumbs. Add the yolk, then pulse until it all comes together to form a soft pastry. The pastry will be too soft to roll out, so press it evenly into a loose-based 25cm tart tin until the pastry comes up above the edges of the tin. Rest in the freezer for at least 20 mins.
• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Line the tart case with baking parchment and baking beans, then place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 mins until the edges are starting to brown. Remove the beans and paper, then continue to cook for 10 mins until biscuity. Leave to cool, trim the edges with a knife, then carefully remove from the tart tin.
• To make the filling, whisk the crème fraîche with the sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and zest until thick. Spread over the bottom of the tart case, then meticulously place the raspberries on top in concentric circles. Meanwhile, heat up jam in the microwave or in a pan with 2tbsp water until bubbling. Push the glaze through a sieve into a bowl, then paint it over the raspberries with a pasty brush. Bring the whole tart to the table and serve in slices.

PUFF PASTRY APPLE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon; add apples and toss to coat. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet into a 12-in. square. Cut each into four squares. , Spoon 1/2 cup apple mixture into the center of each square; fold diagonally in half and press edges to seal. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet., In a small bowl, combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon; brush over pastry. Bake at 400° for 12-16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

RHUBARB & ALMOND CRUMBLE TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, then line a 23cm tart tin with it. Chill in the fridge.
• Tip the rhubarb into a roasting tray with the sugar and juice, then toss together. Cover with foil, then bake for 30-40 mins. Tip into a sieve over a bowl, then reserve the syrup. While the rhubarb is cooking, press a sheet of baking paper into the tart case, tip in baking beans, then bake for 20 mins. Remove beans and paper, then bake for 10 mins more.
• Rub the topping ingredients, except the almonds, together until crumbly. When the case is cooked, lower oven to 180C/ fan 160C/gas 4. Spoon the rhubarb evenly over the case and crumble over the topping. Scatter with almonds, then bake for 20 mins. Leave the tart until just warm, then turn out and serve with the rhubarb syrup and some crème fraîche.