Freestyle Lemon Tartlets With White Chocolate Sauce Recipes

FREESTYLE LEMON TARTLETS WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the filling, set a mesh strainer over a medium bowl or container. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, 1/3 cup (65 g) sugar, 6 tablespoons (3 ounces/85 g) butter, lemon zest, eggs, and egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the edges just barely begin to bubble. Don't let the mixture boil. Pour the filling through the strainer. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• To make the dough, in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt on low speed until combined. Add the 5 tablespoons (2 1/2 ounces/70 g) chilled butter pieces and beat on medium speed until the butter pieces are about the size of corn kernels. Add the ice water and mix until the dough just begins to hold together.
• Transfer the dough to a work surface, form it into log about 5 inches (12 cm) long, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Slice the chilled dough log into 6 equal pieces. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out each piece into a 5-inch (12-cm) circle. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C).
• To make the meringue, in a clean, dry bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whisk the egg whites on low speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar, if using, and the pinch of salt, then increase the speed to high and continue to whisk until the whites begin to form soft, drooping peaks when the beater is lifted. With the mixer running, gradually add the 10 tablespoons (135 g) sugar, then the vanilla, and continue to whisk until the meringue forms stiff peaks.
• To finish the tartlets, divide the lemon filling evenly among the baked pastry disks, mounding it in the center and leaving a 1-inch (3-cm) border around the edges. Spoon the meringue onto the tartlets, dividing it evenly and covering the filling, then create decorative swirls and peaks. Bake until the meringue is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Serve the tarts warm from the oven or at room temperature, with the white chocolate sauce drizzled onto individual plates or passed in a bowl on the side.
• The filling and the dough can both be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated until needed. The tarts should be served the same day they're made.

TART & TANGY LEMON TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in flour. Press dough onto bottom and up sides of an ungreased 11-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Refrigerate 15 minutes., Line the unpricked crust with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 18-22 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake until bottom is golden brown, 5-7 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, egg yolks, cream cheese and cornstarch until blended; pour into crust. Bake until filling is set, 18-22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. If desired, serve with whipped cream. Refrigerate leftovers.

BERRY ALMOND TARTLETS WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• For the almond pastry, put the flour, ground almonds, sugar and 1⁄4 tsp salt into a food processor and work for 5 seconds until mixed. Add the butter and pulse for about 10 seconds until the mixture forms fine crumbs. Tip into a bowl, add the egg yolks and almond extract and mix with a knife to make coarse crumbs (don't do this in the machine or you'll overwork it and make the pastry tough). Turn out on to the work surface and knead briefly by hand to a smooth, pliable ball. If it's too sticky, work in a little more flour. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes until firm.
• Brush six 9cm loose-bottomed tartlet tins with melted butter. Divide the ball of dough in half and work with one piece at a time. Roll it out on non-stick baking parchment until 3mm thick. Cut out three 13cm rounds using a plain pastry cutter or a small upturned saucer as a template. Ease each disc of pastry into the tins and press them on to the base and sides so the edges of the pastry come slightly above the top edge of the tins. Prick the bases with a fork so they do not puff up in the oven and set them on a baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pastry. Chill for at least 15 minutes until firm. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to fan 180C/conventional 200C/gas 6.
• Line the tartlets with small squares of buttered foil, pressing them well against the sides to hold up the dough during baking. Bake for 7-8 minutes until the pastry starts to brown. Remove the foil and continue baking for a further 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown. Let them cool in the tins, then turn them out to be sure they are loose. Replace them in the tins for support before adding the filling.
• For the ganache, break the chocolate into a bowl. Bring the cream just to the boil, pour on to the chocolate and leave for 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth. Chill without stirring for 8-12 minutes until the ganache is cool but still soft enough to pour, then pour a shallow layer into each tartlet to cover the base. Chill until set, then unmould the tartlets and let them come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. (They can be kept covered, at room temperature, for up to 6 hours.)
• To finish, warm the redcurrant jelly with 1 tbsp water and stir until smooth. Pick over the raspberries and pile them casually on top of the ganache. Spoon over a little of the warm glaze and decorate each tartlet with a tiny sprig of mint.