Are you craving a delicious and elegant dessert that's surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than this delightful plum tart recipe! This recipe captures the essence of French patisserie, offering a beautiful and flavorful treat perfect for any occasion – from a casual weeknight dessert to a sophisticated dinner party. This homemade creation is far superior to store-bought options and will impress even the most discerning palates. Get ready to experience the magic of homemade cooking with this simple yet impressive recipe, perfect for those seeking quick dinner ideas or a special healthy meal.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 ripe plums, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and prevents shrinkage.
Assembling and Baking the Tart:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer to pan: Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim and crimp the edges.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, gently toss the sliced plums with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Fill the tart: Spoon the plum mixture evenly into the prepared tart shell.
- Egg wash: Brush the edges of the crust with the beaten egg. This gives it a beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the tart cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This allows the filling to set properly.
Tips for the Best Plum Tart:
- Use ripe plums: Choose plums that are ripe but still firm to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the crust dough will result in a tough crust.
- Blind bake (optional): For a crispier crust, you can pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
- Adjust sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar according to the sweetness of your plums.
Variations:
- Add other fruits: Feel free to add other fruits like apples, pears, or berries to the filling.
- Spice it up: Experiment with different spices like cardamom or allspice.
- Make it a crumble tart: Top the plum filling with a crumble topping made from oats, flour, butter, and sugar.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 350-400
- Fat: 18-20g
- Carbohydrates: 45-50g
- Protein: 4-5g
This delicious plum tart is a perfect example of how easy and rewarding homemade cooking can be. It's a beautiful and tasty dessert that's sure to be a hit with everyone. Enjoy!