Crisp Grape Tarts Food

SWEET DOUGH FOR PIES AND TARTS

Steps:

• To mix the dough by hand, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl and stir well to mix. Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and add to dry ingredients. Toss once or twice to coat pieces of butter. Using your hands or a pastry blender, rub the butter into the dry ingredients by breaking it into tiny pieces, continuously pinching and squeezing it into the dry ingredients. Be careful to keep the mixture uniform by occasionally reaching down to the bottom of the bowl and mixing all the ingredients evenly together. Continue rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible. Beat the egg(s) in a small bowl and pour over the flour and butter mixture. Stir in with a fork, continuing to stir until the dough begins to hold together, but still appears somewhat dry. Scatter flour on the work surface and scrape the dough onto it. Press and knead the dough quickly 3 or 4 times, until it is smooth.
• To mix the dough in the food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in work bowl fitted with metal blade. Pulse 3 times at 1-second intervals to mix. Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and add to work bowl. Process, pulsing repeatedly at 1-second intervals, until the mixture is fine and powdery, resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible, about 15 pulses in all. Add the egg(s) to the work bowl and pulse 10 times or so, until the dough forms a ball. Scatter flour on the work surface and scrape the dough onto it. Press and knead the dough quickly 3 or 4 times, until it is smooth.
• Press the dough into a disk (two equal disks for the larger amount of dough). Sandwich the disk(s) of dough between two pieces of plastic wrap and press it into a 6-inch disk. Refrigerate the dough until firm, or until you are ready to use it, at least 1 hour

GRAPE AND BLACKBERRY CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan generously with baking spray.
• Make the topping by mixing the flour, brown sugar, oats, butter, vanilla, and salt until crumbly, pea-size pieces form. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the grapes, blackberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the fruit. Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling in the center. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

PEAR AND RASPBERRY FRANGIPANE TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Crust: In a large bowl or food processor, combine flour and sugar.
• Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually add water until dough forms a ball.
• Knead 2-3 times until smooth.
• Press dough into bottom and up sides of an ungreased 10" tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Spread jam evenly over bottom of dough.
• Filling: Place almonds in food processor; process until almonds are finely chopped.
• Add butter, sugar, and flour; process until blended.
• Add egg and almond extract; mix well.
• Drain pears, RESERVING 1/4 CUP LIQUID.
• Add 1/4 cup liquid to almond filling mixture; blend until smooth.
• Spread in crust.
• Arrange pear slices over filling.
• Bake 35-45 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and top is a deep golden brown.
• Cool 90 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh raspberries and powdered sugar.