Apple Tart

Directions

1. 1
   Paint the bottom of the shell with apricot glaze.
2. 2
   Arrange the apples in a decorative pattern, filling the shell; sprinkle over the sugar.
3. 3
   Bake in the upper-middle level of a preheated 375F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the apples are lightly colored and perfectly tender.
4. 4
   Unmold onto a platter and paint top of apples with more apricot glaze.
5. 5
   Serve warm or cold.
6. 6
   FREE-FORM APPLE TART.
7. 7
   Form a 14-by-18-inch free-form tart shell as detailed on page 92.
8. 8
   Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar in the shell.
9. 9
   Peel, core, and slice 3 or 4 Golden Delicious apples, and arrange in neat rows of overlapping slices.
10. 10
    Sprinkle over more sugar.
11. 11
    Bake and glaze as in the master recipe.
12. 12
    PEAR TART.
13. 13
    Use firm ripe pears, such as Bartletts, in either of the preceding apple tarts.
14. 14
    FRESH STRAWBERRY TART.
15. 15
    Paint a fully baked 8-or 9-inch tart shell with warm red-currant glaze (see page 103).
16. 16
    Arrange 1 quart of fresh hulled strawberries attractively, heads up, in the shell, and paint lightly with more glaze.
17. 17
    Serve with whipped cream on the side.
18. 18
    PASTRY CREAM AND STRAWBERRIES.
19. 19
    After glazing the bottom of the tart shell, spread on a layer no more than 1/4 inch thick of pastry cream (page 79), then arrange the strawberries on top and complete the recipe.
20. 20
    OTHER IDEAS.
21. 21
    Rather than strawberries, use raspberries, blueberries, or a mixture; include halved seedless grapes and/or a sprinkling of chopped nuts; or sliced fresh or canned peaches, apricots, or pears; or halved ripe figs.
22. 22
    This is a great opportunity for you to use your creative skills.