GLAZING FRUIT TARTS RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the pastry, beat the butter and icing sugar in a large bowl until creamy, then beat in the egg yolks. Add the flour and, with your fingertips, rub it with the butter mixture to get a crumbly texture. Add 1-2 tbsp iced water, quickly mix with a knife, and press to form a ball. Lightly flour a work surface and, using your palms, lightly knead the pastry until blended.
• Flatten the dough with your palm into a thick disc, wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes. Lightly flour the table and roll out the pastry to 2-3mm thick, to fit a 21cm loose-bottomed fluted tart tin that’s 2.5cm deep. Roll the pastry over the rolling pin and unroll over the tin. Lift the dough with one hand and, with the other, gently tuck it into the bottom edge of the mould so it fits tightly.
• Take a small ball of dough wrapped in cling film and press all around the base of the tart to ensure a complete fit. Cut off the excess pastry with a knife. Prick the pastry base all over and place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4 and put a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Line the pastry case with baking paper and fill with baking beans or rice. Bake on the hot baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. Remove the beans and paper, return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes until the pastry is golden. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and return to the oven for 1 minute. Remove and leave to cool a little before removing from the tin.
• Turn the oven up to 190°C/fan170°C/gas 5. To make the filling, put the eggs and sugar in a bowl and whisk together. Gently whisk in the cream, lemon zest and juice until just combined, then pour into the case. Cook for 20-25 minutes. Remove and cool for 1 hour. Dust the tart with icing sugar, slice and serve.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet set over medium-high heat and add apples to the pan. Stir to coat with butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is evenly distributed, about 1 minute.
• In a small bowl, whisk together sugars, spices and salt. Sprinkle over the apples and toss to combine.
• Lower heat to medium and cook until apples have softened completely but still hold their shape, about 17 to 25 minutes. (Some varieties cook more quickly than others.)
• Sprinkle cornstarch evenly over the apples and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple mixture comes to a simmer and thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and stir in lemon juice and zest. Allow apples to cool completely (spreading them onto a rimmed baking sheet speeds this up). Apples can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer dough to a 9- or 10-inch metal pie plate, trimming it to leave a 1/2-inch overhang. Place crust in the freezer for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• When ready to bake, place a rimmed baking sheet on the middle oven rack and heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Roll out the remaining dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10- to 11-inch circle. Remove pie crust from freezer and add the cooled filling in an even layer. Cover apples with remaining dough. Press the edges together, trim the excess dough, and crimp the edges with your fingers or a press down with the tines of a fork. (Using a fork might be easier if the bottom crust is too cold to crimp.) Brush the top of the pie with cream, milk or some beaten egg, then sprinkle lightly with sugar if you like. Using a sharp knife, cut some steam vents in the top of the crust.
• Place pie on the hot sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake for another 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling bubbles in the steam vents, and the crust is golden brown. Transfer pie to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 2 hours before serving. The pie can be baked up to 24 hours ahead of serving; do not refrigerate before serving.