FRESH FIG TART
The photogenic tart will make you look like a pastry chef, though it's no more difficult than baking a pie. A sweet tart crust is layered with almond cream, fig jam (homemade is nice, but store-bought works well, too) and fresh figs. The key to success is superb figs. They can't be so jammy that they collapse when you cut them into quarters or sixths. But they should be sweet and ripe. The dough recipe below makes two crusts, one for now and one for later (store extra dough, well-wrapped, in the freezer).
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories pies and tarts, dessert
Time 7h
Yield One 9-inch tart
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Prepare the crust: In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sea salt on medium speed for about 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl and paddle with a rubber spatula and add confectioners' sugar. Combine with butter at low speed. Once incorporated, scrape down bowl and paddle. Add almond flour and vanilla extract and combine at low speed.
- Gradually add egg and a quarter of the flour (scant 1/2 cup or 55 grams). Beat at low speed until just incorporated. Scrape down bowl and paddle. Gradually add remaining flour and mix just until dough comes together, stopping from time to time to scrape in any mixture adhering to sides and bottom of bowl. Do not overbeat. Dough should be soft to the touch.
- Separate dough into two equal portions. Gently press each portion into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Double-wrap airtight in plastic wrap. Refrigerate one dough portion for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight; chill or freeze the second portion for another use.
- Very lightly butter a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. (You should not be able to see the butter.) On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 10 1/2-inch circle, 1/4 inch thick. Dust work surface and dough often, and work quickly so dough remains cold. Gently roll dough over lightly dusted rolling pin and transfer to pan, gently easing it in and trimming the top edge. Chill uncovered for at least 1 hour, preferably longer.
- Prepare the tart: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together almond flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and flour into a medium bowl.
- Place butter, salt and vanilla and almond extracts in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle and beat 1 minute at medium speed. Scrape down bowl and paddle, and add almond flour mixture. Beat at medium speed for 1 minute, until incorporated. Stop, scrape down bowl and paddle, then turn on machine and gradually add egg. Add rum and beat at medium speed until egg and rum are incorporated.
- Remove tart shell from refrigerator and place on a baking sheet. Using a fork, pierce rows across surface of crust, about 1 inch apart. Scrape almond cream onto crust and, using a small offset or rubber spatula, spread evenly over crust.
- Place in oven and bake 40 minutes, until crust and almond cream are golden brown and the tip of a knife comes out clean when inserted into cream. Remove from oven and let cool for 40 minutes on a rack.
- Using a small spatula, spread fig jam over surface of tart in an even layer.
- Remove stems from figs. Cut small and medium figs into quarters, large figs into sixths or eights. Arrange in concentric circles, starting with the rim, with the stem end down. Slices should angle upwards. If not serving right away, refrigerate. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
CARAMELIZED ONION, FIG & GRUYERE TART WITH FRESH THYME
Rich, sweet caramelized onions, the sweet bite of fig jam, and pungent thyme go oh-so perfectly together in this easy savory tart made on store-bought puff pastry. It's a vegetarian-friendly addition to any holiday party menu, but meat-eaters won't be able to keep their mitts off of it either.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lay thawed puff pastry sheet on a floured surface and roll until approximately 10" wide and 16" long. Carefully transfer puff pastry to a baking sheet. Trim edges if desired for a neater look, and prick the pastry several times with a fork.
- Bake the puff pastry sheet for about 10 minutes until puffed and golden. Remove from oven.
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil and butter until melted. Add the onions and saute, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden brown, and caramelized, about 40 minutes. Add thyme, garlic, salt, pepper, and vegetable broth to the onions and continue to cook over medium-low heat for about five minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Carefully spread 1/3 cup fig jam over the puff pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Evenly spread the onions over the top, then sprinkle with the Gruyere cheese.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 - 5 more minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with additional thyme leaves and serve immediately. This tart may be made several hours ahead and reheated before serving, but I recommend baking it right before serving, otherwise the pastry gets a tad soggy.
FIG JAM WITH ROSEMARY
Ripe figs lend their subtle sweetness to this chunky jam. Lemons add a necessary sparkle, and fresh rosemary balances the tanginess. You can substitute other woodsy herbs, such as thyme, marjoram or oregano, or add spices, such as black pepper, but additional seasonings should complement rather than overpower the figs. This jam involves little preparation but yields tasty results: Use it as a spread for warm toast, to serve alongside salty cheese or as a topping for meat dishes.
Provided by Yewande Komolafe
Categories jams, jellies and preserves
Time 45m
Yield 3 to 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the figs in a 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the figs soften and the liquid begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.
- Add the rosemary and sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the syrup thickens, the figs are mostly broken down and the jam goes from a rapid boil to slow bubbles, about 25 minutes. Remove and discard the rosemary.
- Stir in the lemon zest and juice and kosher salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another minute for a runnier jam or up to 8 minutes if you prefer a thicker jam. Taste and adjust with more lemon juice and salt as needed. (Adding lemon juice will thin the jam, but it does thicken as it cools.) The jam should be sweet and tart with a hint of fresh rosemary.
- Transfer to sterilized jars and can, or cool to room temperature, then store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
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