Apricot Tart

I love summer ;) Stonefruits are in abundance and oh my God! Mangoes, don't even get me started on them, I am thinking there should be a scent for mangoes in the perfume range.. No? Maybe I will just make my own mango shampoo or something...

Back to stonefruits, err, yes, one of my favourites are the apricots. I love them, dried, stewed and fresh as well. Today, I am following a recipe from www.JoyofBaking.com for this easy free form Apricot Tart.

Fingers and toes crossed and let's not burn the kitchen down. I have followed it to a tee except for kosher salt. What is that? Hmmm.... must google, meanwhile, yup table salt will do and this is why I failed at baking everytime!! Err, sometimes, not so good when I improvise ;)

I know I can't bake but I still carry on like a trooper, baking like nutter, I hate being a failure, so if I must fail, I will damn well fail splendidly..teeeheheh ;) Wonder what will happen if I accidentally dropped some white choc bits in it?

 
Short Crust Pastry:

1 1/4 cups (175 grams) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) salt

1 tablespoon (14 grams) granulated white sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) (113 grams) unsalted butter, chilled, and cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces

1/8 to 1/4 cup (30 - 60 ml) ice water

Apricot Filling:

1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) fresh ripe apricots (8 large or 14 small apricots)

1/3 - 1/2 cup (65 - 100 grams) granulated white sugar (or to taste)

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt  {I don't know what this is, so I used table salt heheheh ;) }

Garnish:

1/4 cup (25 grams) chopped pistachios or almonds

The method as per the recipe
Short Crust Pastry: In a food processor, place the flour, salt, and sugar and process until combined. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal (about 15 seconds). Pour 1/8 cup (30 ml) water in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube until the pastry just holds together when pinched. Add remaining water, if necessary. Do not process more than about 30 seconds.

Turn the pastry out onto your work surface, gather it into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about one hour to chill the butter and allow the gluten in the flour to relax.

Once the pastry has chilled, remove from refrigerator and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry into a 13 inch (32 cm) square. To prevent the pastry from sticking to the counter and to ensure uniform thickness, keep lifting up and turning the pastry a quarter turn as you roll (always roll from the center of the pastry outwards to get uniform thickness). Transfer the pastry to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover and place in the refrigerator while you prepare the apricots.

Apricot Filling: Wash the apricots. Cut the apricots following the suture from stem to blossom end and then up the opposite side. Gently twist the two halves of the apricot and it should easily separate. Remove the seed and cut each half into two or three wedges (depending on size). Place the wedges of apricots in a large bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Then add the granulated white sugar and toss gently to combine. Arrange the apricot wedges evenly on the pastry (cut side up), leaving about a two inch (5 cm) wide border. Scrape any remaining sugar from the bowl and sprinkle over the apricots. Gently fold the edges of the pastry up and over the apricots, pleating as necessary. Make sure to seal any cracks in the pastry.

Bake the tart in a preheated 405 degree F (205 degree C) oven for about 35 - 45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds. Best served warm, with vanilla ice cream.

Makes one - 11 inch (26 cm) tart.