Queens Vlaai Apricot Tart Food

QUEEN'S VLAAI (APRICOT TART)

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast over the ½ cup warm water in a large bowl.
• Let stand until foamy.
• Add butter, salt, ¼ cup sugar and 1 cup flour.
• Beat with a heavy spoon until dough is stretchy.
• Add ¾ cup more flour, stir until well blended.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, (8 minutes) adding just enough flour to prevent sticking.
• Place in a greased bowl, turn over to grease top.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
• Meanwhile combine apricots, remaining ½ cup sugar, and the 1 ½ cup, water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer stirring occasionally until apricots are tender when pierced.
• With a slotted spoon, transfer apricots to a bowl and let cool.
• Boil syrup, uncovered, over high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, watching closely to prevent scorching.
• Set aside.
• Punch down dough and knead briefly on a lightly floured surface to release air.
• Pat into an 8-in round.
• Press dough evenly over bottom and ¾-inch up sides of well buttered 10- to 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Arrange apricots, slightly overlapping, on dough.
• Pour syrup over fruit.
• Gently press edges down flush with the fruit.
• Bake on lowest rack at 375 until crust is evenly browned. About 40 minutes.

EASY APRICOT TART

Steps:

• First, make the marzipan. Mix both sugars with the ground almonds and vanilla in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle. Reserve 1 tsp of the beaten egg in a small dish, then tip the rest into the well along with the lemon juice. Mix everything well, then mix in the cream, 1 tbsp at a time, until the mixture is spreadable (you may not need all the cream). Chill for 20 mins if it's too warm to spread properly, or greasy. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Roll out the puff pastry on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, then score it lightly around the edges to create a 1.5cm border - be careful not to cut all the way through. Lightly score a diamond pattern over the middle to keep the pastry from rising in the centre during cooking.
• Spread the marzipan over the middle of the pastry, leaving the border clear (see tip, below). Top with the apricots, cut-side down. Brush the border with the reserved beaten egg, then bake for 15 mins. Scatter over the flaked almonds. Bake for 5-10 mins more until the almonds are golden and the pastry has cooked through.
• Warm the jam over a low heat, then brush it over the apricots. Cut into squares and serve warm with ice cream or cream. Will keep chilled for up to two days.