X Rated Tart Food

EGG CUSTARD TARTS

Steps:

• Make the puff pastry: Cut the butter into 3/4 cup flour in a medium bowl with a fork, then knead with your hands until the dough comes together. Transfer the "oil dough" to a piece of plastic wrap and pat into a 7 1/2-inch square; wrap in the plastic and refrigerate 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the egg, water and remaining 3/4 cup flour in a separate bowl, then knead with your hands until the dough comes together, adding more flour as needed if the dough is too sticky. Transfer the "water dough" to a piece of plastic wrap; wrap in the plastic and refrigerate 20 minutes.
• Unwrap the "water dough" and roll out into an 11-inch square on a lightly floured surface. Place the "oil dough" square on top and turn it so that it looks like a diamond. Fold the sides of the "water dough" over the "oil dough" to enclose completely.
• Roll out the folded dough into an 11-inch square and mark it into thirds. Fold in the outer thirds over the center third, like a letter. Roll out the folded dough into a large square again. Repeat twice (folding like a letter, then rolling into a square), refrigerating the dough as needed if it becomes too soft.
• Mark the square of dough into fourths. Fold the outer fourths into the center, then fold in half like a book and roll out again. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 20 minutes.
• Butter 12 small (2 1/2- to 2 3/4-inch-diameter) fluted tart pans. Unwrap the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out circles with a round cutter (about 1/4 inch larger than your tart pans). Refrigerate 20 minutes, then press the dough into the tart pans. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the egg custard: Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Whisk the eggs into the cooled sugar syrup, then stir in the evaporated milk, vanilla and salt. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Arrange the tart pans on a baking sheet. Divide the custard among the pans, filling each about three-quarters full. (Do not overfill or the tarts could overflow; you may not use all of the custard.)
• Bake until the crusts are golden and the filling puffs slightly, about 45 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes in the pans, then carefully tap the bottoms to remove the tarts and transfer to a rack to cool completely.

CANDY CANE CHOCOLATE TART

Steps:

• Make the crust: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Pulse the cookies and granulated sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined.
• Lightly coat a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the side of the pan. Bake until set, about 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat until it starts simmering, then remove from the heat. Whisk the egg yolks, granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually whisk one-third of the warm milk into the egg mixture, then pour into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, about 3 minutes. Continue boiling, whisking, until the mixture is thick like pudding, about 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat, then whisk in the semisweet and mint-flavored chocolate and the butter. Pour into the prepared crust and spread evenly. Refrigerate until set, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Right before serving, beat the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and peppermint extract in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Spread the whipped cream on the tart and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

X-RATED TART

Steps:

• Mix in a shaker with plenty of ice, pour into a martini glass... and enjoy!
• **fabulous tip -- take a (nonalcoholic) ingredient in your recipe and turn it into your ice cubes!Pour the nectar into an ice cube tray or one of those fun new frozen swizzle stick molds, and a couple hours later you can pop the colorful ice into your drink. Hint: alcohol doesn't freeze, so you'll want to stick to juices on this one.

ROASTED TOMATO AND BRIE TART

Steps:

• Put flour, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine. Add cold butter, and pulse a few more times until it looks like a rustic cornmeal. Add the cold crème fraîche, and pulse a few times until the dough just comes together. Turn the dough out into a mixing bowl. Using your hands, work the dough a little bit more to fully incorporate-it should look "shaggy." Place it on a big sheet of plastic wrap, gather the sides up and press the dough into a ball; flatten slightly and chill in the fridge, at least 1 hour and up to 24. (This is a good time to make the half-dried tomatoes you'll need in Step 4: Halve grape tomatoes, toss with salt, pepper, and olive oil, and bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees F.)
• Unwrap the dough and place on a generously floured, clean work surface; flour the dough thoroughly. Whack the dough with a rolling pin a few times to soften it. Starting in the middle, roll dough out to either side to make an even rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds, like a letter. Roll it out again and repeat the folding, add more flour if the dough sticks. This time, rotate the rectangle of dough by 90 degrees before rolling it out and folding again. Roll it out one more time, in the direction of the folds, and fold in thirds. When the laminating is done, roll the dough into a square, starting in the middle of the dough and rolling toward yourself, then away. The square should be roughly 10 inches by 10 inches and ¼-inch thick. Trim the edges of the dough, then cut it into 2½-inch-wide strips. Place the strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes, so the dough keeps its shape as it bakes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Make an egg wash by whisking together the egg yolk and heavy cream. Brush the tarts with the egg wash and parbake, 15-20 minutes. When the tarts are puffy and light brown, remove from the oven and prick all over with a fork; then return to the oven for 10 more minutes.
• When the tarts are puffy and golden brown, remove from oven and top with sliced Brie and Half-Dried Tomatoes. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese has just melted, 1-2 minutes. Garnish with thyme and serve family-style.