FRUIT TART DECORATION RECIPES

Steps:

• If making the pastry by hand, rub the butter into the flour and icing sugar until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in the beaten egg and bring together to form a dough. If making in a processor, combine the butter, flour and icing sugar in the bowl then process until the mixture resembles ground almonds. Pour in the beaten egg and pulse the blade until the dough starts to form a ball around the central stem. Form the pastry into a smooth flat cake, wrap in clingfilm and chill for 30 minutes or until manageable.
• Make the filling in the unwashed processor. Cream the butter and sugar together, then gradually add the beaten eggs (do not worry if it looks curdled at this stage). Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the ground almonds, flour and almond extract. Process for a few seconds until well incorporated. Leave this mixture in the fridge until required.
• Roll out the chilled pastry on a lightly floured work surface and line a flan tin 28cm in diameter, about 2.5cm deep. If possible, chill for a further 30 minutes.
• Spoon the frangipane mixture into the pastry case and level the top using a small palette knife. Arrange the pear halves, cut side down, attractively on the filling. Be sure to leave enough room between them to allow the frangipane mixture to rise.
• Preheat the oven to 190C, gas 5 and put a heavy flat baking tray into the oven to preheat. Place the tart on the tray and bake for about 45–50 minutes until the almond filling and pastry are golden brown.
• OR to bake in an Aga, lift the tin on to a baking sheet and bake on the floor of the roasting oven until pale golden, about 15-20 minutes. Then transfer to the centre of the Baking Oven until set and golden brown, another 15–20 minutes. In a two-oven Aga, lift the tin onto a baking sheet and bake on the floor of the roasting oven for 15–20 minutes until pale golden. After this time, put the cold plain shelf on the second set of runners and continue to bake for a further 15–20 minutes until the almond filling is set and golden brown. If the pastry is becoming too dark, place a ring of foil around the edge.
• Cool slightly, brush with hot apricot glaze and sprinkle with toasted flaked almonds. Serve warm with cream or crème fraîche.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Heat a heavy, flat baking tray.
• To make the pastry, either rub the flour and butter together using your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs or measure the flour and butter into a food processor and briefly process until just rubbed in. Add the sugar and mix, then add the egg and a tablespoon of water. Process until the mixture just holds together (do not over work as it will make the pastry tough). Wrap in cling film and chill for 20 minutes.
• Roll the pastry out on a floured surface and use it to line a 28cm/11in flan tin. Prick the base of the pastry using a fork then chill the pastry for 10 minutes.
• Line the pastry case with parchment paper and fill with ceramic baking beans or uncooked rice. Place on the preheated baking tray and bake blind for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is set and pale brown. Remove the beans and paper and return to the oven for about 10-12 minutes until the base is cooked.
• For the filling, put the butter and sugar in a food processor and pulse until creamy (if you used a food processor for the pastry, there’s no need to wash it up). Add the eggs and blend, then mix in the ground almonds and almond extract.
• Spread a thin layer of apricot jam over the base of the pastry and spoon the almond mixture on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
• For the decoration, gently poach the apricot halves in water until tender. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Arrange the apricot halves in circles over the top of the tart. Warm the apricot jam over a low heat then pass through a fine sieve. Brush the warm apricot jam over the top of the fruit to glaze. Scatter over the flaked almonds. Serve the tart warm or cold.