Banana Citrus Almond Torte Food

CITRUS TART WITH SHORTBREAD ALMOND CRUST

Steps:

• Add the eggs and cream to a medium bowl and whisk together until combined.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, clementine juice, grapefruit juice and cornstarch. Cook, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly add the egg-cream mixture and stir to combine. Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Pour the citrus custard into the prebaked Shortbread Almond Crust and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove the tart from the refrigerator, top evenly with Citrus Whipped Cream, and sprinkle with the citrus zest.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the cookies and almonds into a food processor and pulse to chop fine. Add the sugar, cinnamon and salt and pulse to combine. Drizzle in the melted butter and process until the mixture holds together.
• Press the crust into a 9-inch fluted tart pan, evenly covering the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, then bake until golden and crisp, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
• In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon of the citrus zest until stiff peaks form.

LEMON TART WITH ALMOND CRUST

Steps:

• Place the flour, almonds, sugar, butter, extract and salt in a food processor. Cover and pulse until blended. Gradually add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing until mixture forms a soft dough. , Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°., In a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, peel and salt until blended. Add butter; cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Pour into crust., Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

BANANA TORTE

Steps:

• Line a jellyroll pan with wax paper.
• Bake chocolate cake as per box instructions.
• When cool, remove cake from pan.
• Cut cake in two, do not cut through wax paper.
• Whip some cream, or thaw frozen whipped topping, tinting pale yellow if desired.
• Put approximately a one inch layer of whipped cream on one half of cake.
• Slice bananas and place in whipped cream.
• Flip other half of cake on top of first layer.
• Apply whipped cream and bananas.
• Garnish with maraschino cherries if desired.
• Store in refrigerator.
• Best if refrigerated before serving.

BANANA CITRUS ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, beat yolks till thick and pale.
• Gradually add in sugar, beating till mixture is very thick.
• Beat in lemon juice and orange rind.
• Add in bananas, meal, almonds and salt and beat until mixture is well combined.
• In a separate bowl, beat egg whites till they just hold stiff peaks.
• Fold the whites into the batter gently but thoroughly.
• Pour batter into an ungreased, 9" tube pan (3 and 1/2" deep) with a removable bottom.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 55 - 60 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and invert over the neck of a bottle so torte can cool upside down.
• After torte has cooled, run a thin knife around the edge and tube of the pan.
• Remove the sides of the pan and run knife under the bottom of the torte to release it.
• Carefully transfer torte to a serving plate.

ALMOND TORTE

Steps:

• In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, constantly whisk the sugar, cornstarch, sour cream and egg yolks until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. , Remove from the heat; stir in butter and extracts until blended. Press waxed paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight., Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line two 8-in. round baking pans with waxed paper. Coat sides and paper with cooking spray; sprinkle with flour and set aside., In a large bowl, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar until blended, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks; mix well. Beat in the milk, applesauce and vanilla (mixture may appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture. Transfer to prepared pans; set aside., Using clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over batter; sprinkle with almonds and cinnamon., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes (meringue will crack). Loosen edges of cakes from pans with a knife. Using 2 large spatulas, carefully remove 1 cake to a serving plate, meringue side up; remove remaining cake to a wire rack, meringue side up. Cool cakes completely., Carefully spread custard over cake on serving plate; top with remaining cake. Store in the refrigerator.

ALMOND-LEMON TORTE WITH FRESH STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 10-inch-diameter springform pan with oil. Line bottom with parchment paper round. Brush paper with oil. Place 2 tablespoons matzo meal in pan and shake to coat; tap out excess.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons matzo meal, almond flour, and 1/3 cup sugar in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Place egg yolks in large bowl; place egg whites in another large bowl. Add 1/3 cup sugar to yolks. Using electric mixer, beat yolk mixture until thick and fluffy. Beat in 6 tablespoons olive oil, then lemon juice, orange juice, and lemon peel. Mix in dry ingredients. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to whites; using clean dry beaters, beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Sprinkle almonds over.
• Bake cake until golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Place pan on rack; cool cake completely in pan. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover cake pan with foil and let stand at room temperature.
• For sauce and berries:
• Combine 2 cups sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon sugar in processor; blend until smooth. Sweeten sauce with more sugar, if desired; transfer to small bowl. do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Cut around cake; release pan sides. Cut cake into wedges. Serve with sauce and remaining sliced strawberries.
• Sometimes labeled "ground almonds"; available at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.