Redcurrant Tart Food

CURRANT TARTS

Steps:

• To Make the Filling:.
• Wash the currants and drain them.
• Stir the sugar and butter together well. Mix in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the currants.
• To Make the Pastry:.
• Mix the flour and salt together.
• Cut the lard into the flour and salt until the consistency is like crumbs. Gradually add enough of the water to make the dough hold together, and form it into a ball.
• Roll out the dough and cut out with a round cookie cutter and fit into muffin tins (regular size, not mini).
• To Assemble & Bake:.
• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
• Put a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons) of the filling into each unbaked tart shell.
• Bake @ 375 for 15 to 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden and crust is done. (Don't overbake - the filling should not be too brown or crispy.).

RED CURRANT AND LEMON TARTLETS

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 10 rounds with a 4-inch cutter. Fit into 3 1/2-inch round tart pans. Using scissors or a sharp paring knife, trim pastry even with edge of tart pans. Transfer to refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prick pastry all over with the tines of a fork. Line pastry with parchment rounds; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until pastry begins to color around the edges 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights, and continue to bake just until the pastry dries out and turns golden, 10 to 20 minutes more. Cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
• Fill half of each tart shell with lemon curd, and the other side with currant curd. Smooth the top flush with edge of tart shell.
• Pipe meringue onto tarts using a 3/8-inch star tip to completely cover. Preheat broiler. Place tarts under broiler and broil until golden brown, alternatively, you can use a hand-held propane torch.
• Place each tart on a serving plate. Serve with raspberry sauce, and garnish with a few pomegranate seeds.