Irish Apple Tart Food

IRISH APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• Set the oven to 350F Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
• Make the custard sauce ahead of time. Bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile whisk the yolks and sugar until well combined. Drizzle a little of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking all the time. Drizzle a little more, then transfer that back into the pan of hot milk and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Do this slowly, over medium heat, and I like to use a silicone spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan as it heats. The mixture will become velvety and thickend, but it will not be as thick as pudding. It will continue to thicken as it cools, so don't overcook or it can curdle. Stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the custard through a sieve (to catch any stray lumps) into a heat proof jar or bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface so it won't form a skin as it cools. Put in the refrigerator until completely chilled.
• To make the streusel topping, blend the bits of butter into the flour, sugar, and oats until the butter is incorporated and the mixture has a coarse crumbly texture. Put in the refrigerator.
• Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the butter/sugar mixture, along with the milk or cream.
• Spoon the batter into your prepared pan, and smooth out evenly. Top with the sliced apples, and then the streusel topping. Note: no need to arrange the apples perfectly, but try to get them in an even layer.
• Bake for about 50 minutes to an hour, until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick comes out without wet batter clinging to it.
• Let cool a bit in the pan before removing. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.

MUM'S IRISH APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch pie pan.
• To Make Crust: In a large bowl, combine flours, salt and sugar. Cut in butter and shortening until coarse crumbs are formed. Mix in sour cream and lemon juice. Keep mixing until dough forms a ball; dough may be slightly lumpy, this is fine. Wrap dough ball in plastic wrap and allow to chill for 1 hour.
• Once chilled, take dough out of refrigerator and cut it in half; keep one half covered and in the refrigerator. Roll dough to 1/8 of an inch. To lift pie shell, roll dough around rolling pin and then unroll into pie pan. Trim overhanging edges of pie crust.
• To Make Filling: Place apples into pie shell. In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour and nutmeg; mix thoroughly. Sprinkle mixture over apples. Squirt lemon juice over apples. Place pie in refrigerator while top crust is rolled out.
• Remove pie from refrigerator. Brush outer edge of bottom crust with beaten egg. Place second crust on top of pie; crimp pie shell edges together. Brush entire top crust with egg and cut 4 steam slots into it.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow pie to completely cool before serving. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

AN IRISH APPLE TART ON A PLATE

Steps:

• Mix the flour and salt in a bowl then using your finger tips rub in the butter or margarine and the lard or shortening until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Add enough of the cold water to form firm dough.
• Roll out ¾ of the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line an oven proof plate.
• Cover with the apples and place in the cloves and sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar.
• Roll out the remaining pastry and use to cover the pie moistening the edges to seal the lid.
• Flute the edges and decorate with the trimmings of the pastry.
• Cut a vent in the top of the pie and brush the top with milk.
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C/400°F gas mark 6 for about 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden.
• Serve with custard or cream.