Macaroon Crusted Orange Tart Recipes

VANILLA ORANGE TART

Steps:

• In a food processor, process the vanilla wafers to crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are moistened.
• Press the crumbs into a 10-inch deep-dish tart pan to line the bottom and sides. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the cornstarch. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix the gelatin with 2 tablespoons cold water. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepot, combine the milk with another 1/4 cup of the sugar and the vanilla bean. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking occasionally.
• A ladleful at a time, slowly pour the heated milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking to temper the yolks. When half of the milk has been added, pour the hot egg mixture back into the saucepot, whisking constantly. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbles start appearing on the surface.
• Whisk the bloomed gelatin into the custard. Pour the custard through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any lumps or overcooked yolks.
• Pour the strained custard into the tart shell and refrigerate for 1 hour, until set.
• In a small saucepot, bring the orange juice and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar to a boil. Add the dried orange slices and simmer until syrupy, 10 minutes. Set aside to cool; the orange slices will continue to soften.
• Remove the tart from the refrigerator and decorate with the orange slices in a fan pattern. Drizzle the tart with some of the orange syrup.
• Place the tart back in the refrigerator for another hour, or until the candied oranges are set.

FRENCH MOCHA MACAROON TART

Steps:

• For Crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom with foil, carefully pressing up sides and into grooves. Brush foil with vegetable oil. Finely grind first 4 ingredients in processor. Add egg white and vanilla and blend until mixture almost forms balls. Press onto bottom (not up sides) of prepared pan, using wet finger-tips as aid. Bake until crust looks dry and feels firm, about 14 minutes. Cool.
• For Dark Chocolate Filling:
• Bring first 4 ingredients to simmer in heavy medium saucepan, stirring ocassionally. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
• For White Chocolate Filling:
• Bring first 3 ingredients to simmer in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Add white chocolate and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in sour cream. Pour 1/2 cup of mixture into small bowl; add butter to mixture in small bowl and whisk until smooth. Set aside for garnish.
• Drop dark chocolate filling and remaining white chocolate filling alternately by 1/4 cupfuls onto crust. Swirl fillings together using tip of knife. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Freeze reserved 1/2 cup white chocolate filling until firm enough to pipe, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Lift tart from pan using foil sides as aid. Peel down foil sides. Turn tart on side and carefully peel foil off bottom of tart. Place tart on platter. Spoon reserved white chocolate filling into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe white chocolate mixture around edge of tart. Garnish with almonds. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead; refrigerate. Cover when firm and keep refrigerated.) Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.