Vanilla Custard Fruit Tart Food

CLASSIC FRUIT TART WITH CUSTARD FILLING

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar either with a whisk or an electric mixer until foamy and about double in size. Whisk the cornstarch and salt into the egg/sugar mixture.
• In a saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla until they come to a boil. Slowly pour about half of the milk into the egg/cornstarch mixture while whisking continuously. It can be helpful to nestle the mixing bowl in a damp kitchen towel to stabilize the bowl so you can whisk with one hand.
• Pour the milk/egg mixture back into the pot with the remainder of the milk and cook over medium/low heat, whisking continuously, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
• Pour the hot custard through a fine mesh sieve. Add the cold butter and whisk in. Place a piece of plastic wrap right on top of the custard and refrigerate until completely chilled before using, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Prepare 9" (23 cm) round or an 14 x 4.5" (35.5 x 11.4 cm) rectangular tart pan with non-stick spray.
• In the bowl or a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, or a large bowl with a hand mixer, mix together all of the ingredients at once. The mixture will be very crumbly. Using damp hands, transfer the dough crumbs into the prepared dish and pat down evenly. Use a fork to dock the dough all over.
• Bake on the middle rack at 350 F (177 C) for 30-33 minutes until the crust is completely cooked and let cool completely.
• Wash and slice the fruit you have selected for your tart.
• Combine the jelly or jam in a small saucepan with the water or liqueur. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is liquefied. If you used jam, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any lumps or seeds.
• No more than 24 hours before serving, assemble the tart. Spread the pastry cream over the tart shell. Arrange the fruit over the top in a pretty pattern. Lightly brush the top of the tart with the fruit glaze. Alternatively, you can toss the fruit in the glaze before arranging it over the tart.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best quality, eat the tart within 24 hours.

CLASSIC FRENCH FRUIT TART

Steps:

• Make the Crust: Complete the pâte sucrée through baking and cooling.
• Make the Pastry Cream: In a medium pot, heat the milk until just boiling. Remove the pot from heat. While the milk is warming, in a heat-proof mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Whisk until the mixture is very smooth and has lightened in color, about 2 minutes. Whisking constantly, add about a quarter of the hot milk into the egg mixture. (This is called tempering. Tempering the eggs helps raise their temperature without cooking them, and helps emulsify them into the milk.) Pour the milk-tempered egg mixture into the pot of the remaining milk. Whisk to combine. Return the pot to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly to prevent "scrambled eggs," especially on the sides and bottom, until the magic happens and the pastry cream thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in the butter and vanilla and cook one minute more, whisking constantly. The pastry cream should make thick, lazy bubbles. (See note below if you see any coagulated bits of egg in your custard.) Pour the thickened pastry cream into a clean, shallow bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and push it down in the bowl so it sits directly on the surface of the pastry cream. This prevents a skin from forming on top. Chill until cold, a few hours (or up to 2 days before serving).
• Assemble the Tart: Remove the tart ring and transfer the tart shell to a serving platter. Whisk the chilled pastry cream until smooth, then spread it evenly into the tart shell using an offset spatula. Arrange a generous amount of fruit over the pastry cream in your desired design. In a small saucepan, heat the apricot jam with 1 tablespoon of water over medium heat, whisking, until thin. (Alternatively, heat it in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds.) If the jam is especially chunky, strain it through a sieve. Use a pastry brush to gently dab the fruit with a thin layer of apricot glaze. Chill until ready to serve.
• Note: Avoid melon and other fruit with high moisture content, like sliced citrus. These will wilt quickly and seep moisture into the pastry cream. Also avoid oxidizing fruit like apples and bananas; these fruits will turn brown. Berries should be fully dried after rinsing (raspberries should not be washed) and strawberries should be sliced.
• Note: If you see any coagulated egg bits in your finished custard, strain the hot pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: The pastry cream can be made up to 2 days before serving. The tart can be assembled and refrigerated up to one day before serving.

BLUEBERRY AND VANILLA CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt for crust together in a medium bowl until combined. Mix in melted butter, egg yolk, and vanilla until combined. Firmly press 2/3 of the mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the prepared tart pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 of the mixture around the edges, then press firmly and evenly into the sides of the pan, creating a slightly raised edge over the top. Lightly prick the bottom of the crust with a fork several times, not going all the way through.
• Mix egg white and water together until combined. Brush a light layer of egg white over the bottom of the crust. Place the tart pan onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven just until the crust begins to brown, 25 to 27 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow crust to cool for 15 minutes. Leave the oven on.
• While crust is cooling, make the custard. Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and salt until thick and light in color. Mix in vanilla extract. Gradually add heavy cream, mixing gently but thoroughly, to avoid incorporating too much air. Carefully pour custard into the cooled crust. (You may or may not have extra; just don't overfill.)
• Place tart back into the oven and bake until custard is just set and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature, at least 1 hour.
• While tart cools, make blueberry topping. Place blueberries and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to burst and release their juices, about 15 minutes. Combine lemon juice and cornstarch in a small bowl or measuring cup. Add cornstarch mixture to the blueberries, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
• When both the tart and the blueberries have cooled, carefully spoon blueberries over the top of the tart, and spread gently into an even layer. Place tart into the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours. Remove sides of tart pan, slice, and serve.

VANILLA CUSTARD FRUIT TART

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Process the flour and butter in a food processor until coarse crumbs form.
• With the motor running, add the water and lemon zest through the feed tube and process until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl.
• Gather the dough into a ball, flatten, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or just until firm enough to roll out. If not using immediately, wrap with plastic and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze up to three months.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the flour and butter into a medium bowl.
• Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Add the water and lemon zest. Stir until the dough holds together.
• Gather the dough into a ball, flatten, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or just until firm enough to roll out. If not using immediately, wrap with plastic and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze up to three months.
• Press the prepared tart dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9- or 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes until very firm.
• Preheat the oven to 425 F. Using a fork, prick the bottom of the tart shell at 1-inch intervals.
• Line the pastry snugly with foil.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes until crust is set and just beginning to brown.
• Remove the foil and bake until the crust is golden brown, 10 to 12 additional minutes. Set the crust on a wire rack and cool completely.
• Gather the ingredients.
• In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, flour, and salt. Whisk in the milk until the mixture has a smooth texture. Make sure the whisk reaches the corners of the pan.
• Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and, whisking constantly, boil for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove the pan from the heat.
• In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks.
• Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture.
• Pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan and, whisking constantly, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thicker. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Add the butter and vanilla and stir until the butter is melted.
• Strain the custard through a fine sieve set over a medium bowl.
• Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard to keep a skin from forming. Refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.
• Gather the shell, custard, fruit, and preserve.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the preserve until slightly thinner in consistency, about 5 minutes.
• ​ Stir the chilled custard and spread it into the prepared crust.
• Top with the fresh fruit of your choice.
• Brush the fruit with the preserve. Serve the tart right away or refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours. Enjoy.

SWEET VANILLA CUSTARD TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• The pastry is best made in a food processor by whizzing the flour, sugar, and butter for a few seconds until it is like fine bread crumbs.
• Then add the egg yolks and up to 2 tablespoons of water.
• Mix to make a soft dough.
• Wrap in plastic wrap.
• Put in refrigerator to chill.
• Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
• Split the vanilla bean lengthwise.
• Scrape out the inner seed mass.
• Add the seed mass and the bean to the milk.
• Heat the milk.
• Bring to a simmer.
• Remove from heat.
• Let the vanilla infuse the milk with flavor.
• In a medium to large bowl, whisk the sugar, egg, and egg yolks.
• Pour the hot milk into the egg mixture and whisk.
• Remove the vanilla bean pod.
• Line six 4-inch fluted tart tins (ramekins are too deep) with the sweet pastry by dividing the pastry into six portions and using your fingers to press out and line the tins.
• Place the tart tins on a baking sheet and then fill with the vanilla filling.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• Enjoy!

VANILLA CREAM FRUIT TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°. Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in flour (mixture will be crumbly). Pat onto a greased 12-in. pizza pan. Bake until lightly browned, 25-28 minutes. Cool., Beat melted chips and cream until smooth. Beat in cream cheese until smooth. Spread over crust. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, granulated sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool., Arrange berries over cream cheese layer; brush with pineapple mixture. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.