Tarte Normande

8 Servings

Ingredients:

For the tart dough:
6 TBS unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt

For the filling:
4 medium apples, about 1 1/2 lbs
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 TBS granulated or raw can sugar, for finishing there tart
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream
2 1/2 TBS calvados

Directions:
Make the tart dough by mixing the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low-to-medium speed, until combined, about 1 minute (but do not whip). Add the egg yolk and mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Mix in the flow and salt on low speed, until the dough comes together. If necessary, add a sprinkle of water if the dough feels too dry. Don't over mix it (you can stop the mixer before the dough is done and mix it by hand, to avoid overtaxing).

Shape the dough into a disk and place in the center of a 9-inch removable bottom tart pan. Use the heel of your hand, and fingers, to press the dough across the bottom and up the sides of the pan, getting it as even as possible. Refrigerate or freeze the dough until ready to use.

To bake the tart, preheat the oven to 350º. Peel and core the apples, and cut them in eighths. Place the slices in concentric circles in the unbaked tart shell.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1/2 cup sugar, along with the vanilla extract and salt. Whisk in the heavy cream and calvados, until the mixture is smooth.

Pour the filling over the apples in the tart dough. Sprinkle the top with 2 TBS of sugar and bake the tart until deep golden brown on top, about 45 to 50 minutes (I usually cook over an hour). Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Serving:
Serve the tart warm or at room temperature. Normally tarts like this are served on their own. It is best enjoyed the day it's made. It can be kept up to 3 days but does not improve.

Notes:
You can substitute the Calvados with another apple brandy. You can use brandy, Cognac, or dark rum. If avoiding alcohol, omit the brandy and double the vanilla extract, although the tart gets its name, and flavor, from the brandy, so the tart will be different.

Source: David Lebovitz

Upside Down Apple Pie

Ingredients:

Glaze:
1 TBS butter
1/2 cup pecan/walnut halves
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Pastry for 9" two-crust pie

Filling:
6 cups sliced, peeled apples
3/4 cup sugar
2 TBS flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 TBS lemon juice
2 TBS butter

Directions:

Line 9" pie pan with 13" circle of foil; do not trim excess foil. Spread butter over foil in bottom and up sides of pan. Place pecan halves rounded-sides-down in bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over pecans. Heat oven to 450º. Prepare desired pastry for two-crust pie. Gently ease pastry into prepared pan over pecan-brown sugar mix. In large bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour, salt and lemon juice; mix lightly. Spoon into pastry-lined pan; dot with butter. Top with remaining pastry; fold edge of top pastry under bottom pastry. Seal edges together securely; cut slits in several places. Fold excess foil loosely over edge of pastry to prevent excessive browning. Bake at 450º for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375º. Continue baking for 30-40 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown. (Place pan on foil or cookie sheet during baking to guard against spillage). Cool pie upright in pan for 5 minutes; invert onto serving plate. Cool at least 1 hour before serving. Serve warm.

Source: Carlene Decker