Jeweled Apple Tart Food

QUICK CARAMELIZED APPLE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. On a floured work surface, roll the puff pastry into a 12-inch square, about 1/8 inch thick. Invert a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet over the pastry. Using the skillet as a guide, cut a 10-inch round of pastry. Transfer to a plate and chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the apples.
• Heat the same skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and then sprinkle over the sugar and add the apples on top. Once the sugar begins to melt, adjust the heat so the juices bubble rapidly. Cook, stirring, until the apples are tender and juices are light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Using a fork, nudge the apples into 2 concentric circles (it doesn't have to be perfect) in the skillet. Top with the chilled pastry round and tuck the edges in. Gently prick the pastry in 4 or 5 places with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees F, until the pastry is puffed and light golden. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and bake until the pastry is a deep golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let sit 10 minutes.
• To unmold, place a serving plate over the skillet and quickly but carefully flip the pan. The tart will unmold onto the plate, and if a few apple slices stick to the pan, return them to the tart. Let cool at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the syrup to sink into the tart. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

APPLE TART

Steps:

• In a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat 3/4 cup sugar, stirring constantly until it is liquefied and golden brown. Remove from the heat. , In a small bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon and remaining sugar. Arrange half the apples in a single layer in skillet. Sprinkle with half the sugar mixture. Arrange half the remaining apples in circular pattern over sugar; sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Place remaining apples over all, keeping the top as level as possible. Dot with butter. , Roll out dough to 11-in. circle; place over apples, pressing gently to completely cover. Do not flute. Bake at 400° until apples are tender and golden brown, about 50 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

RUSTIC FRENCH APPLE TART

Steps:

• Make the crust: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Pulse briefly to combine. Add the cold butter and process just until the butter is the size of peas, about 5 seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the mixture and process just until moistened and very crumbly, about 5 seconds. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead a few times, just until it comes together into a cohesive ball. Pat the dough into a disk. Flour your work surface again and dust the dough with flour, as well. Using a rolling pin, roll into a circle 8 to 10 inches in diameter, turning and adding more flour as necessary so the dough doesn't stick. Transfer the dough to the parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while you prepare the filling (you'll roll the dough out further on the parchment paper so go ahead and clean your work surface).
• Make the Filling: Peel, core, and cut the apples into ⅛-inch-thick slices (you should have about 4 cups) and place in a large bowl. Add the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, melted butter, and salt; toss to combine.
• Take the dough from the fridge and slide the parchment paper onto the countertop. Roll the dough, directly on the parchment paper, into a 14-inch circle about ⅛ inch thick. It's fine if the edges are a little ragged. Place the parchment and dough back on the baking sheet - the pastry should curve up the lip of the pan.
• Assemble the tart: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the pastry. Arrange the apple slices on top in overlapping concentric circles to within 3 inches of the edge. Don't worry about making it look perfect! It doesn't make much difference in the end and you don't want the dough to get too warm. Fold the edges of the dough over the apples in a free-form fashion, working your way around and creating pleats as you go. Patch up any tears by pinching a bit of dough from the edge.
• Using a pastry brush, brush the pleated dough evenly with the beaten egg. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the turbinado sugar over the top crust and 1 tablespoon over the fruit. Chill the assembled tart in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the center position.
• Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden and cooked through. (It's okay if some of the juices leak from the tart onto the pan. The juices will burn on the pan but the tart should be fine -- just scrape any burnt bits away from the tart once it's baked.) Transfer the pan to a rack and let cool.
• While the tart cools, make the optional glaze. In a small bowl, mix the apricot jam with 1½ teaspoons water. Heat in the microwave until bubbling, about 20 seconds. Using a pastry brush, brush the apples with the apricot syrup.
• Use two large spatulas to transfer the tart to a serving plate or cutting board. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. The tart is best served on the day it is made, but leftovers will keep, loosely covered on the countertop, for a few days.
• Note: Be sure to use baking apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious. And use a mix of different varietals for the best flavor.
• Make Ahead: The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes or until pliable before rolling.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The assembled tart may be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the baking sheet in the freezer until the tart is frozen, then wrap tightly. (Wait until right before baking the tart to brush the beaten egg and sprinkle the sugar onto the crust.) Bake directly from the freezer. (It may take a few extra minutes to bake from frozen.)

PUFF PASTRY APPLE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon; add apples and toss to coat. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet into a 12-in. square. Cut each into four squares. , Spoon 1/2 cup apple mixture into the center of each square; fold diagonally in half and press edges to seal. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet., In a small bowl, combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon; brush over pastry. Bake at 400° for 12-16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

JEWELED APPLE TART

Steps:

• For crust, 1/4 cup of the butter.
• Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on an 11- to 13-inch pizza pan, brush with melted butter. Lay a second sheet on top, perpendicular to first, and brush with butter.
• Repeat for a total of eight sheets, placing each sheet perpendicular to the previous one.
• Fold outside edges toward the center, forming a shell about 10-inches in diameter. Brush phyllo lightly with remaining melted butter.
• Bake in a 400°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until phyllo is golden.
• Poke a few holes in the crust with a fork if it puffs, gently flattening the center.
• Let cool completely.
• For Filling:.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, apple juice concentrate, cinnamon, apples, and cherries. Cook about 12 minutes or until apples are tender.
• Remove fruit with a slotted spoon, reserving juices.
• Add nuts to juices, if desired.
• Toss fruit with flour and spoon into prepared crust, set aside.
• Gently boil reserved juices in a small saucepan about 5 minutes or until reduced to about 1/4 cup.
• Add half-and-half or light cream, cook and stir over low heat until well combined.
• Pour over apple mixture in crust.
• Bake in a 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Let stand 20 minutes.
• Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream, or sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.