Dutch almond tart

8 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
cupUnbleached All-Purpose Flour
3tablespoonsSugar
teaspoonSalt
7tablespoonsSolid Vegetable Shortening; chilled
5tablespoonsUnsalted Butter; chilled and cut into pieces
6tablespoonsCold Water
6tablespoonsUnsalted Butter; at room temperature
3tablespoonsSolid Vegetable Shortening
½cupAlmond Paste; plus
1tablespoonAlmond Paste
3largesEggs
6tablespoonsSugar
tablespoonUnbleached All-Purpose Flour
½teaspoonLemon Peel; grated
½cupApricot Jam
1tablespoonApricot Jam; melted

Directions

CRUST

FILLING

For crust, blend flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add shortening and butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Blend in enough water by tablespoons to bind dough; do not form ball. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disc. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.) Roll dough out on a floured surface to 13" round. Transfer dough to 9" tart pan with removable bottom. Press onto bottom and up sides of pan; trim edges. Gather scraps and reroll into 9x7" rectangle. Cut out ten 9 x ½" strips. Cover and refrigerate tart and strips while preparing

For filling, preheat oven to 350øF. Using electric mixer, cream butter and shortening in a small bowl until light and fluffy. Using an electric mixer, beat almond paste in a medium bowl until softened.

Gradually beat in eggs, then sugar. Continue beating until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in butter mixture. Mix in flour and lemon peel.

Spread ½ cup jam over bottom of tart. Pour filling over. Arrange 5 dough strips atop filling, spacing evenly. Repeat in opposite direction with remaining dough strips, creating a lattice top. Press dough strips at tart edges to seal. Bake until golden brown, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer tart to rack. Brush lattice strips with 1 tb melted jam. Cool completely. Source: Gourmet Magazine From Katherine Smith, Kook-Net: The Shadow Zone IV - Stinson Beach, CA