Monday, December 31, 2012

Apple Tart


Courtesy of The Wednesday Chef.

Ingredients
Dough 
  • 1 cup all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon of salt
  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch cubes  
  • 3 to 5 tablespoons of cold water
Filling
  • 2 pounds of apples, peeled, cored and sliced (do not through out scraps) 
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 to 5 tablespoons sugar, depending on your sweet tooth
Glaze
  • Apple scraps
  • 1/2 cup sugar
Tools
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Pastry brush OR paper towel
Directions
  • Put the flour, sugar, salt and butter cubes for the dough in a food processor bowl.  Pulse a few times, until the butter is broken up into lima bean size pieces
  • Drizzle in the cold water one tablespoon at a time, processing or mixing as you go until the dough just holds.  You may need more or less water depending on your climate
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, and quickly gather into a 4-inch-wide disk.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days
  • Heat oven to 400 degrees and prepare a floured work surface again.  Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll it out (turning over if you like) until its about 14 inches round.  Since it will be a rustic tart, an ovalish shape is fine
  • Place the dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Crowd as many apples as you can in concentric circles over the dough, leaving a 2 inch border. Fold the dough over the edges of the apples, leaving an open middle
  • With a pastry brush or folded up paper towel, brush the butter over the apples and exposed upper crust. Top with a little sugar
  • Slide into the oven on the center rack, and bake for 45 minutes, rotating halfway through
  • Meanwhile, start the glaze by dumping the apple cores, peels, sugar and any leftover apple chunks in a sauce pan. Add water until the apple bits are just covered. Bring to a boil and cook for up to 30 minutes.  Strain the liquid, discarding the trimmings.  Return the liquid to the pan, and reduce until syrupy.  About 10-15 minutes
  • When the tart is finished, pull off the parchment paper and let cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Brush the glaze over the apples and enjoy warm or at room temperature

No comments: