Apple Almond Tart Food

ALMOND & APPLE TART

Steps:

• First, make the pastry. Using a free-standing mixer fitted with a beater attachment (or an electric hand whisk and large bowl), mix the butter and sugar until smooth and pale. Reduce the speed, slowly add the flour, then just before it's fully combined, add the egg yolk and mix briefly until smooth (if the pastry is dry add 1 tsp cold water). Remove the pastry from the bowl, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge overnight, or for at least 1 hr.
• For the frangipane, cream the butter and icing sugar in a freestanding mixer or with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the almonds and calvados and beat for 3 mins more. Chill until needed.
• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Roll out the pastry on a well-floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Gently press the pastry into either a 23cm tart ring on a baking sheet or a 23cm fluted tart tin (the pastry may crack - patch up any holes with leftover pastry). Trim the edges neatly, then chill in the fridge for 20 mins.
• Stand the tart tin (if using) on a baking sheet, then spoon in the frangipane and smooth with the back of the spoon, leaving a 0.5cm gap at the top. Peel and core the apples, then cut into 4mm slices using a mandolin or knife across the width of the apple so there's a hole in the middle of each slice. Arrange the apples on top of the frangipane. Sieve a good layer of icing sugar on top, then bake for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins or until the apples are caramelised and the frangipane is cooked (use a skewer to check). Leave to cool for 30 mins before serving.
• Next make the Chantilly. Whip the double cream and icing sugar to soft peaks, then add the Calvados and vanilla seeds, and whisk again until the mixture holds its shape. Chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve with the tart.

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.

APPLE AND ALMOND CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• Make crust: In a small bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder; set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and almond extract; beat until combined. With mixer on low, add flour mixture; mix just until combined.
• Using an offset spatula or table knife, spread dough in a 9-inch removable bottom tart pan, evenly covering bottom and sides. Freeze for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees, and make filling: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and lemon zest; mix until combined. With mixer on low, add flour and then cream; mix just until smooth (do not overmix). Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, toss apple with lemon juice; arrange evenly in tart pan over chilled dough. Spread filling over apple; sprinkle with almonds and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until golden and set, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

CRISPY BRAEBURN APPLE AND ALMOND SHEET TART

Steps:

• For almond cream:
• Whisk almond flour and sugar in medium bowl. Whisk egg, vanilla, and salt in another medium bowl. Whisk half of almond mixture into egg mixture. Whisk in whipping cream, then remaining almond mixture. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of almond cream, then cover with foil and chill at least 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
• For crust:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Place stack of phyllo sheets on work surface and cover with plastic wrap, then damp kitchen towel to prevent drying. Transfer 1 phyllo sheet to prepared baking sheet (keep remaining phyllo covered). Brush phyllo sheet lightly with some of melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with scant 1 teaspoon sugar. Top with second phyllo sheet; brush with melted butter and sprinkle with scant 1 teaspoon sugar. Repeat with remaining 6 phyllo sheets, melted butter, and sugar.
• Spoon almond cream in dollops atop phyllo, then carefully spread evenly over, leaving 1/2-inch plain border on all sides. Using palm of hand, fan out 7 apple slices, side by side and slightly overlapping, on work surface. Using spatula, transfer fanned-out apple slices to corner of 1 short side of phyllo. Repeat fanning out 7 apple slices at a time, arranging in 2 to 3 lengthwise rows atop almond cream, spacing close together.
• Bake tart until apples are tender, almond cream is set, and crust is golden and crisp, about 40 minutes. Transfer baking sheet with tart to rack. Carefully run metal spatula under tart to loosen from sheet.
• Combine preserves and 3 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring to loosen. Brush preserves over apples and tart crust. Using 2 large metal spatulas, transfer tart to platter and serve warm or at room temperature.
• Sometimes labeled "ground almonds"; available at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.

APPLE ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Lightly spray 10 inch pie dish with cooking spray.
• In food processor combine 2/3 cup sugar and toasted almonds and process until nuts are ground.
• Add milk, butter, flour, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
• Process with on off turns until combined.
• Pour mixture into pie pan.
• Peel, core and cut apples into quarters.
• Place on cutting board, and slice thinly.
• Arrange apples in nut mixture, fanning style.
• Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake 45-50 minutes.
• If edges brown towards end cover with foil.

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.)