I'm not much of a baker. I prefer the creativity and lack of precision of cooking. And being gluten-free usually means that desserts are less than delicious. However, today I decided to try something new. It is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Apples and honey symbolize the wish for a sweet new year. It is also the beginning of fall, and with that comes the fall harvest. Apples were my inspiration for this seasonal tart.
This recipe is fairly easy to execute, and absolutely delicious to eat. My 3 year old and gluten loving husband can attest to this. I must admit, I cheated with a store bought gluten-free tart shell. But the results are amazing-- not too sweet, a little crunch, and overall it's just delicious. Try it!
APPLE TART WITH ALMOND TOPPING (GLUTEN-FREE)
by Martha Rose Shulman, New York Times, November 11, 2013
3 large apples, preferably Braeburn or Fuji, peeled, cored, and cut in 1/2 inch dice (500 grams diced cored apples)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup turbinado sugar, also known as sugar in the raw (50 grams)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup egg whites (60 grams)
2 tablespoons sugar, preferably organic white or brown sugar (30 grams)
1/2 cup slivered almonds (50 grams)
1 9-inch gluten free dessert pastry (or other pastry of your choice), fully baked
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Toss the apples with the lemon juice in a medium bowl. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Heat a large frying pan over high heat and add the butter. Wait until it stops foaming and is becoming light brown, and add the diced apples, turbinado sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread the apples in a layer and cook without moving them for a couple of minutes, then turn the heat to medium-high and sauté, moving the apples around in the pan, until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Scrape out onto the lined sheet pan and allow to cool completely.
3. Spread the cooled apples evenly over the pre-baked tart shell.
4. Make the almond topping. Beat the egg whites lightly in a bowl, just until slightly foamy. Whisk in the sugar and stir in the almonds. Spread evenly over the apples.
5. Place the tart on a sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the crust and topping are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.
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