Caramelized Lemon Lime Tart Recipes

THE CHEF'S FAVORITE LEMON TART

Steps:

• Preparation for the tart shell: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the egg yolk mixture and pulse just until the dough can be gathered into a ball. Flatten into a 6-inch disc, wrap in plastic, and chill several hours or overnight. Let the dough soften slightly at room temperature before rolling.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 13-inch round. Fit the dough into a 10 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim the dough flush with the rim and freeze the tart shell until firm. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line the shell with foil or parchment and fill with pie weights, rice, or dried beans. Bake for 20 minutes until set. Remove the foil and weights and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove the shell from the oven and immediately brush the hot pastry with the egg white.
• Hint: When rolling tart pastry, always save all the dough scraps in case you need them to repair a crack in a partially baked shell. If the pastry "bubbles up" during the baking process, gently prick the pastry with a fork to release air bubbles. Check several times and repeat if necessary. The egg white serves to seal the pastry, which is especially helpful with a liquid filling such as this. It is essential that there be no cracks or holes visible in the partially baked shell. Make any necessary repairs prior to filling.
• Preparation for the tart: When the pastry is almost done baking, assemble the filling. Whisk together the eggs, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest and orange zest and cream till smooth. Transfer the tart shell to the oven. Place the filling in a pitcher and slowly pour into the shell as high as possible without overfilling. There might be a bit of filling left over.
• Bake the tart for approximately 25 minutes, until the filling is barely set. Check the tart after 20 minutes and keep checking it every few minutes after that. It is crucial not to overbake this filling!
• Cool to room temperature before serving with berries and whipped cream.
• For serving: .

LIME CURD TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Press the dough into a 10-inch-round or 9-inch-square false-bottom tart pan, making sure that the finished edge is flat. Chill until firm.
• Butter 1 side of a square of aluminum foil to fit inside the tart and place it, buttered side down, on the pastry. Fill with beans or rice. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and beans, prick the tart all over with the tines of a fork, and bake again for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Remove the zest of 4 limes with a vegetable peeler or zester, being careful to avoid the white pith. Squeeze the limes to make 1/2 cup of juice and set the juice aside. Put the zest in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the sugar and process for 2 to 3 minutes, until the zest is very finely minced. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar and lime zest. Add-- the eggs, 1 at a time, and then add the lime juice and salt. Mix until combined.
• Pour the mixture into a 2-quart saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. The lime curd will thicken at about 175 degrees F, or just below a simmer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Fill the tart shell with warm lime curd and allow to set at room temperature. Once set, serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

CARAMELIZED LEMON-LIME TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roll out the pate sucre to a circle about 1/4 inch thick and large enough to slightly overlap a 9-inch metal tart pan. Fit the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Line the bottom and sides of the shell with parchment, or coffee filter papers, or aluminum foil. Fill the lining with dried beans, rice or aluminum beans and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool and remove the beans and the lining. Return the shell to the oven and bake until golden, 5 to 10 minutes longer.
• In a large metal bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, lemon and lime juice, and zests. Set over simmering water and continue to whisk until the mixture is very thick, about 10 minutes.
• Turn off the flame and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time. (You don't want the mixture to cool down before all the butter is incorporated.) Strain the filling into a bowl. Scrape into the baked tart shell and smooth with a metal spatula. Cool and then refrigerate until firm, 3 to 4 hours, up to overnight.
• Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top of the filling. With a propane blowtorch, caramelize the sugar. (This can also be done under the broiler. Place the tart on the broiler tray directly under the flame, watching carefully to prevent burning). Refrigerate the tart for at least 30 minutes. Or, if desired, eliminate the 2 tablespoons of sugar and arrange circles of raspberries on top of the tart. Sift a little powdered sugar over the berries just before serving.
• Cut into slices and serve. If you have caramelized the sugar, serve the tart with fresh strawberries or raspberries.
• In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flour and sugar. Add the butter and process until the texture resembles fine meal.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the yolks and 1 tablespoon of the cream. Scrape into the machine and process until a ball begins to form, using the additional tablespoon of cream, if necessary. Remove the dough from the machine, and on a lightly floured surface, press down into a circle. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

CARAMELIZED LEMON-LIME TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roll out the pate sucre to a circle about 1/4 inch thick and large enough to slightly overlap a 9-inch metal tart pan. Fit the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Line the bottom and sides of the shell with parchment, or coffee filter papers, or aluminum foil. Fill the lining with dried beans, rice or aluminum beans, and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool and remove the beans and the lining. Return the shell to the oven and bake until golden, 5 to 10 minutes longer.
• In a large metal bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, lemon and lime juice, and zests. Set over simmering water and continue to whisk until the mixture is very thick, about 10 minutes.
• Turn off the flame and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time. (You don't want the mixture to cool down before all the butter is incorporated.) Strain the filling into a bowl. Scrape into the baked tart shell and smooth with a metal spatula. Cool and then refrigerate until firm, 3 to 4 hours, up to overnight.
• Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top of the filling. With a propane blowtorch, caramelize the sugar. (This can also be done under the broiler. Place the tart on the broiler tray directly under the flame, watching carefully to prevent burning). Refrigerate the tart for at least 30 minutes. Or, if desired, eliminate the 2 tablespoons of sugar and arrange circles of raspberries on top of the tart. Sift a little powdered sugar over the berries just before serving.
• Cut into slices and serve. If you have caramelized the sugar, serve the tart with fresh strawberries or raspberries.
• In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flour and sugar. Add the butter and process until the texture resembles fine meal.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the yolks and 1 tablespoon of the cream. Scrape into the machine and process until a ball begins to form, using the additional tablespoon of cream, if necessary. Remove the dough from the machine, and on a lightly floured surface, press down into a circle. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

CARAMELIZED LEMON TART

Steps:

• for crust: Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor.
• Add butter; cut in using on/off turns until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
• Mix yolk and ice water in small bowl.
• Add to crumb mixture; process until dough begins to clump together.
• Press over bottom and up sides of 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
• Trim edges.
• Pierce crust all over with fork.
• Chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Line crust with foil.
• Fill with dried beans or pie weights.
• Bake until crust is set, about 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and beans.
• Continue baking until pale golden, pressing with back of fork if crust bubbles, about 20 minutes longer.
• Transfer crust to rack.
• Maintain oven temperature.
• for filling: Whisk eggs, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, cream and lemon juice in large bowl.
• Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; whisk to blend well.
• Pour filling into tart shell.
• Bake tart until filling is set, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer tart to rack and cool.
• Refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Preheat broiler.
• Sift powdered sugar over tart.
• Broil until caramelized, watching closely, about 1 minute.
• Refrigerate tart 15 minutes.
• Remove tart pan sides.
• Transfer tart to platter.

CARAMELIZED LEMON TART

Steps:

• for crust:
• Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter; cut in using on/off turns until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Mix yolk and ice water in small bowl. Add to crumb mixture; process until dough begins to clump together. Press over bottom and up sides of 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Trim edges. Pierce crust all over with fork. Chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with foil. Fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until crust is set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Continue baking until pale golden, pressing with back of fork if crust bubbles, about 20 minutes longer. Transfer crust to rack. Maintain oven temperature.
• for filling:
• Whisk eggs, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, cream and lemon juice in large bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; whisk to blend well. Pour filling into tart shell.
• Bake tart until filling is set, about 40 minutes. Transfer tart to rack and cool. Refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Preheat broiler. Sift powdered sugar over tart. Broil until caramelized, watching closely, about 1 minute. Refrigerate tart 15 minutes. Remove tart pan sides. Transfer tart to platter.

CARAMELIZED LEMON TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface; roll to 1/8 inch thick. Press into bottom and up sides of a 13 3/4-by-4 1/4-by-1-inch rectangular tart pan (pan should have a removable bottom); trim dough along rim. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Line bottom with parchment paper; add pie weights. Bake shell until edges just turn golden, about 10 minutes. Remove weights and parchment; bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Put lemon juice and 1 cup sugar into a heatproof bowl. Pass yolks through a fine sieve into bowl; whisk to combine. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water; whisk until thick, about 10 minutes. Remove bowl from heat; stir in zest. Stir in butter, 1 piece at a time, until it melts. Pour filling into tart shell. Refrigerate, uncovered, until firm, about 2 hours.
• Place tart on a baking sheet. Remove sides from pan and place them upside down over sides of tart to prevent edges from burning. Sift 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar evenly over top of filling. Using a small butane kitchen torch, carefully caramelize sugar until it is deep amber. Tart can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day.

LEMON TART WITH A TOUCH OF LIME

Steps:

• Make the dough: In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar and salt. Add butter and pulse briefly until well combined. Add egg and pulse just until dough comes together. Dough will be rather soft. Wrap with waxed paper or plastic wrap, and press to make a 1-inch-thick disk. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or it will be too soft to handle. (Make the dough up to 2 days in advance, if desired.)
• Remove dough from the refrigerator and let soften at room temperature until pliable and soft, about 15 minutes. Using your fingertips, press dough into a 9-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom, making sure it is pressed evenly across the bottom and up the sides, about 1/8-inch thick. Press the dough against the sides to the very top. Pinch off any excess and smooth the edge. You'll have slightly too much dough - save any left over to patch cracks after blind baking. Chill the tart dough in the pan until ready to bake. (You can also freeze it at this point, if you like, for up to a week.)
• When ready to blind bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the dough-lined tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake to a pale golden brown, about 30 minutes. (Pie weights shouldn't be necessary, but check the dough during baking, to make sure sides are not slumping. If so, press the sides back up with a wooden spoon.) For even browning, turn the tray halfway through the baking. Remove from oven, and cool to room temperature.
• Make the filling: Put lemon and lime zest, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook until butter is melted and mixture is hot, 4 to 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and yolks.
• Whisk the hot mixture gradually into the eggs to temper them. Then pour everything back into the saucepan and return to heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens to a milkshake consistency, about 5 minutes. (Do not overcook, or it will curdle.) Pour through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally. Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools. (At this point, you can continue with the recipe, or cover the filling and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)
• Spoon the lemon curd into the baked tart shell. Using a spatula, spread the curd evenly into the shell. Bake in a 350-degree oven until filling is set (not jiggly), about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature. (This can be done several hours before serving.) Just before serving, top tart with lime zest and dust edges with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

CARAMELIZED LEMON TART

Steps:

• Place sugar and lemon in a large stainless-steel bowl. Push yolks through a sieve into bowl, and whisk to combine.
• Set bowl over a pot of simmering water, and stir slowly until mixture thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. Cook 5 minutes longer.
• Remove bowl from heat, and stir in zest. Stir in butter piece by piece until completely melted. Pour into cooled tart shell. Chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat broiler. Remove outer ring from tart pan, and place pan on a large cookie sheet. Place outer ring upside down on top to protect pastry from burning.
• Sift sugar evenly over top, and place under broiler. Watch carefully; remove tart when top is evenly browned.