James Martin Almond Tart Recipes

JAMES MARTIN'S DOUBLE RASPBERRY BAKEWELL TART

Steps:

• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Use the pastry to line a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin (see step-by-step). Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to rest for 1 hr.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. To make the filling, put the butter, sugar and lemon juice in a food processor, then blend until light and fluffy. With the machine running at full speed, add the eggs and almond extract, and whizz until combined to a smooth paste. Fold in the breadcrumbs and ground almonds by hand.
• Take the tart case from the fridge, line with baking parchment and baking beans and place on a baking tray. Bake for 20 mins until the sides are set and the pastry is sandy. Carefully remove the beans and the parchment and place tart case back in the oven for 10 mins until the base is biscuity.
• Remove from the oven and spread the jam over the base, then top with the almond filling. Return the tart to the oven for a further 25 mins until the almond layer is cooked. Leave to cool in the tin.
• Remove the tart from the tin and place on a serving plate. Mix the icing sugar with 4-5 tbsp water to make a thick icing. Flood the top of the tart with the icing, keeping 1 tbsp aside, then arrange the raspberries on top, all pointing upwards. Drizzle with the remaining icing and scatter with flaked almonds. Leave for 10 mins so the icing can set a little, before serving.

PEACH PUFF PASTRY TART WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to a 3mm thickness. Cut a circle about 33cm in diameter with a sharp knife, using a plate or anything round as a guide. Using the rolling pin, transfer to the baking tray and score a circle 1cm in from the edge.
• Bake in the oven for 12-15 mins until lightly puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and gently push the centre down with the back of a large spoon so that you have a flat base with a raised border.
• Meanwhile, halve and stone the peaches, then slice thinly. In a bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, ground almonds, egg, lemon zest, almond extract and sherry, if using. Spread the frangipane evenly over the pastry, leaving the border free. Top with the peach slices, neatly overlapping them in circles. Sprinkle over the remaining sugar and the flaked almonds.
• Bake for 30 mins, then turn the oven down to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, cover the tart lightly with foil and cook for a further 30-40 mins. The frangipane should puff up between the peaches and be golden brown and set in the centre. Cool on a wire rack, then slice and serve. Leftovers will keep for 1 day.

ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in center. Butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a small glass measuring cup, stir together butter, vanilla, and 1/2 tablespoon water; pour over flour mixture. Stir to combine. With floured hands, press dough into prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove tart shell from oven, and reduce heat to 350 degrees.
• Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, stir together almonds, heavy cream, sugar, egg, almond extract, Grand Marnier, and salt. Pour filling into crust. Bake tart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until golden brown, about 45 minutes.

BLUEBERRY & ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Beat together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy, about 1 min. Stir in the almonds, egg and almond extract.
• Stir in half the blueberries and spoon into the pastry case. Smooth the top using the back of a metal spoon, then scatter over the remaining blueberries, pressing them in lightly. Bake for 45-50 mins until the pastry is crisp and golden, and the filling is golden and feels firm to the touch.
• Cool the tart for 10 mins in the tin, then lift onto a serving plate. Dust with a little icing sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.