Frangipane Filling Food

FRANGIPANE

Steps:

• Combine the almond cream ingredients and in a pastry bag with a large opening (no tip) and set aside. Halve the puff pastry and roll each into an 8 1/2-inch circle, 1/8 inch thick.
• Place 1 of the circles on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Pipe a 5-inch diameter mound of almond cream in the center of the circle. The mound should be about 1-inch high. Prepare the egg wash: Whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, and milk in a small bowl until well combined.
• Lightly brush the remaining 1 1/2-inch rim of the pastry circle with the egg wash. Place the second circle of puff pastry over the first. Gently press against the sides of the almond cream mound to remove any trapped air. Seal the edges of the 2 layers by pressing the top edge into the bottom edge. Use a sharp knife to give the circle a fluted edge like a flower. Use a sharp knife to pierce a 1/2-inch slit in the top layer at the center. This will allow steam to escape during baking. To make the classic pattern in the top, use a sharp knife to score a curved line that begins at the top of the mound and ends at the bottom of the mound. Repeat this line every 1/2 inch around the circumference of the mound, but be careful not to cut through the top layer and into the almond cream. Lightly brush the top with egg wash.
• Let the frangipane rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour before baking. (At this point, you can wrap the frangipane well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Let it thaw in the refrigerator or in your backpack before baking.) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until it begins to brown slightly, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze: Stir together the corn syrup and water.
• Remove the frangipane from the oven and brush it well with the corn syrup mixture. This adds sweetness, enhances the color, and gives it a crispy crust. Continue to bake until well risen and evenly browned, about another 20 minutes. The baked frangipane should be flaky and tender, and the almond cream center still moist. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. The frangipane is best when served while it is still slightly warm. Use a serrated knife to slice it.

FRANGIPANE: ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• When you are ready to use it, fill your pastries, tart, or tartlets and bake.

FRANGIPANE FILLING

Steps:

• Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, ground almonds, rum, almond extract, and flour; beat until smooth. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 4 days.

APPLE TART WITH FRANGIPANE (ALMOND) FILLING

Steps:

• To make frangipane: combine almonds and ¼ cup sugar in food processor and grind into a powder.
• Add 2 tblsps butter, vanilla, rum and egg and process thoroughly.
• On a floured surface, roll pate brisee into a very thin circle (about 1/16 of an inch thick).
• Brush top of dough lightly to remove flour, roll up on rolling pin and unroll over 10 inch flan ring set on top of a baking sheet.
• Lift up overhanging dough and press into position so that dough adheres well inside ring without being stretched.
• Press rolling pin across top of ring to cut away excess dough.
• Spread frangipane on dough.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Peel apples, cut in half, core, and cut into ¼ inch thick slices.
• Set aside the larger center pieces of apple.
• Coarsely chop end pieces (about 2 cups) and spread over frangipane.
• Arrange apple slices in concentric circles over chopped apples.
• Sprinkle top with 1 tblsp sugar and dot with butter.
• Bake for 1 hour.
• Remove ring and slide tart carefully onto serving platter while still hot.
• Cool slightly.
• Heat preserves, stirring constantly, over low heat.
• Push through a fine sieve.
• Add Calvados and combine.
• Using a pastry brush, spread glaze over tart, thickly.
• Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature.
• Nice with a dollop of crème fraiche (in my recipes) or whipped cream.