PLUM TART WITH ALMOND PASTRY CRUST

Steps:

• For the filling:
• Fill a large stockpot halfway with water and bring to a boil.
• While water is boiling, take a paring knife and cut a 1/2-inch X on the bottom of each plum. Set aside.
• Fill a large bowl with ice and water and set aside.
• When water is boiling, gently drop plums into water for 30 to 45 seconds.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately submerge in ice water for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove and dry plums gently with a paper towel.
• Over a medium-sized bowl, remove skins from plums - they should slip off fairly easily.
• Slice plums in half and remove pits.
• Toss with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice and set aside.
• For the crust:
• Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
• Grind the almonds in a food processor until they are a fine crumb.
• Add the pastry flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar to the almond in the processor and pulse 5 times to incorporate.
• Add butter and oil and pulse for about 20 seconds, until mixture forms small clumps.
• Add the egg white and pulse an additional 20 to 30 times, until mixture forms a ball, being sure not to over-process.
• Dough will hold together, but be slightly sticky.
• Evenly press dough into the bottom and sides a 9-inch tart pan with a detachable bottom.
• Bake for 8 to10 minutes, or until surface of tart is no longer shiny.
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• Place tart shell on a cookie sheet.
• Toss plum halves in their own juices in bowl.
• Arrange plums, cut-side down, in the tart shell, crowding as many plums as you can into tart.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fruit is slightly tender but still firm.
• Remove from the oven and let cool.
• For the glaze:
• Heat preserves over a low flame or in microwave until melted.
• Combine with water and brush surface of tart.