An open apple tart is a delightful dessert that showcases the natural sweetness and flavor of apples. This rustic and elegant tart combines tender apples, currants, sultanas, and chopped almonds, all encased in a flaky wheatmeal pastry. Topped with a lattice-like trellis arrangement, this tart not only tastes heavenly but also looks like a work of art.
In this recipe, we’ll guide you through the steps to create this delicious open apple tart. By pairing the apples with currants, sultanas, and almonds, and using a wheatmeal pastry for added depth of flavor, you’ll create a dessert that’s perfect for special occasions or any time you crave a taste of homemade sweetness.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lbs. of apples
- 1 cupful of currants and sultanas (raisins)
- 2 oz. of chopped almonds
- Sugar (to taste)
- 1 teaspoonful of ground cinnamon or the rind of 1/2 lemon (to be removed after cooking)
- 12 oz. of Allinson fine wheatmeal
- 4-1/2 oz. of butter
- White of eggs (for brushing)
PREPARATIONS
- Pare, core, and cut up the apples.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
- In a saucepan, stew the apples with very little water, only enough to prevent them from burning. Add the lemon rind or ground cinnamon for flavor.
- When the apples are nearly done, add the currants, sultanas, chopped almonds, and sugar. Simmer all the ingredients together until the apples have turned into a pulp. Let the fruit mixture cool.
- Make a pastry by combining the Allinson fine wheatmeal and butter with a little water. Roll out the pastry to line a round, flat dish.
- Brush the pastry with white of eggs.
- Transfer the cooled apple mixture onto the pastry-lined dish.
- Cut the remaining pastry into strips, each about 3/8 of an inch wide. Lay these strips over the apples in a diamond-shaped trellis pattern, with each strip spaced about 1 inch apart.
- If you have enough pastry left, lay a thin strip right around the edge of the dish, marking it nicely with a fork or spoon.
- Bake the tart in an oven for approximately 3/4 hour, or until it’s golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
YIELD
The yield of this recipe will depend on the size of the tart and the serving portions.
SERVING
Serve the open apple tart with a drizzle of white sauce or alongside a serving of custard for a delightful dessert.
TIPS
- Adjust the sugar quantity to match your preferred level of sweetness.
- Choose cooking apples with a balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Ensure that the lemon rind is removed after cooking with the apples to prevent bitterness.
In conclusion, an open apple tart is a delightful dessert that beautifully showcases the exquisite flavors of apples in a rustic and elegant presentation. This recipe takes the essence of apples and combines it with currants, sultanas, and chopped almonds, all encased in a flaky wheatmeal pastry that’s both flavorful and wholesome.
The preparation of this tart begins with the careful selection and preparation of the apples. After paring, coring, and cutting them into pieces, they are gently stewed with minimal water, ensuring that their natural sweetness is retained. The addition of ground cinnamon or lemon rind infuses the apples with a warm and aromatic flavor.
As the apples near the perfect level of tenderness, currants, sultanas, and chopped almonds are added, along with sugar to reach the desired level of sweetness. Simmering these ingredients together creates a luscious apple filling that’s both sweet and nutty.
The wheatmeal pastry, made by combining Allinson fine wheatmeal and butter, is rolled out to create a base for the tart. Brushed with white of eggs, the pastry is both flavorful and golden brown after baking.
The highlight of this open apple tart is the lattice-like trellis arrangement created from pastry strips. This not only adds a visually pleasing touch but also allows the tart to bake evenly.
The result is a work of art that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The open apple tart, with its tender apple filling, nutty undertones, and flaky pastry, is a dessert that’s sure to impress and delight.
To serve, consider pairing it with a drizzle of white sauce or a serving of custard, which adds a layer of creaminess to the tart’s complex flavors.
In summary, this open apple tart recipe is a testament to the beauty of homemade desserts that celebrate the natural sweetness and flavor of apples.
