Apple Cardamom Custard Tart

I'm trying my best to eat seasonally and since we're still knee-deep in apple season in Ohio, I'm stretching my creative muscles for new ways to enjoy these local, delicious apples.  Today, I decided it was time to attempt a flavor combination that's been on my mind for awhile:  apple & cardamom.  Cardamom is an exotic spice with East Indian roots that I absolutely adore.  It's warm and fragrant and pairs quite well with something sweet like fruit.  This Apple Cardamom Custard Tart is silky and sweet, with a subtle hint of spice.

Apple Cardamom Custard Tart

1 Pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

3 Apples, peeled, cored and very thinly sliced

4 Large eggs

1 C. Whole Milk (or heavy cream if you're feeling extra sinful)

2 T. sugar, plus more for sprinkling

1 t. cardamom

Preheat the oven to 400.

Lay out your pie crust in a lightly greased, shallow baking dish.  Using a fork, gently "dock" the entire surface, making holes so that your crust does not get air bubbles.  Place the apple slices around the pie crust in a circular pattern.  I did two layers of apples so that apple slices would stick out slightly from the custard.  

In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar and cardamom.  Beat with a mixer until completely smooth.  Place the pie dish on a cookie sheet.  Carefully pour the custard over the apple slices.  

Gently place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake the custard tart for 10 minutes at 400.  Then, lower the temperature to 350 and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the custard is set.  You want it to be just firm, but not overdone.  In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle 1 T. of sugar on top and let the sugar caramelize for that finished look.  

Peach & Raspberry Crostata

When I was little, my dad used to serve vanilla ice cream with a cold raspberry and peach sauce.  This is my take on such a simple, and yet explosive, flavor combination.  I had been thinking about this crostata for quite awhile and as soon as raspberries and peaches went on sale, I was ready to test my idea!  Perfect timing I guess, because I watched an episode of The Pioneer Woman the other day where Ree Drummond made a scrumptious looking piecrust.  So, I decided to adopt it for this recipe and it worked perfectly! 

I reckon you can make this recipe 2 ways:  (a) as a simple, rustic crostata OR (b) take it to the next level for a truly impressive tart.  The pictures shown here are a mix between the two.  If you want to take the simple route, just buy a premade piecrust, fold it up over the fruit and bake it.  If you’re feeling more daring, follow my entire recipe.  Stay tuned for a more refined version coming soon.  In any case, you’ll end up with a delicious combination of fresh flavors!

3 ripe peaches, sliced

1 Pint of Raspberries

Zest of 1 lemon

3 T. Sugar

Pie crust (I used Ree Drummond’s  ‘perfect pie crust’ recipe, with some minor changes, recipe follows)

Beaten egg, for glazing

Water

Sugar in the Raw, for garnish (optional)

Preserves, for garnish (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix together sliced peaches, raspberries, lemon zest and sugar.  Let the flavors marry in the refrigerator. 

Form the dough into 2 disks and set them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 375. 

Roll the dough out until it’s about ¼” thick.  Lay it carefully on a greased cookie sheet.  Pile half of the peach and raspberry combination into the middle of the dough and fold up the edges.  Don’t worry – it’s supposed to look messy.  Repeat the process with the other half of the pie dough and the fruit mixture.  

In a small bowl, mix the beaten egg with just a bit of water to form a wash. 

Brush the top of the pie dough with the wash.  This will help it get perfectly golden brown.  Sprinkle some raw sugar around the top for extra sparkle and a touch of sweetness.  Bake for 30-35 minutes. 

If you want to go the extra mile, brush the fruit with a bit of fruit preserves like apricot or raspberry.  This will give the fruit a bit of shine, like they do in France.  But remember, it’s supposed to be rustic.  Serve with vanilla ice cream if you so desire. 

Ree Drummond’s Perfect Pie Crust

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 teaspoon salt

¼ C. Sugar

1 1/2 sticks cold butter

3/4 cup vegetable shortening

1 egg

5 tablespoons cold water

Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add in the butter and shortening. Using a pastry cutter, gradually work the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles. This step should take 3 or 4 minutes.

Lightly beat the egg with a fork, and then add it to the mixture. Next, add in the cold water. Stir the mixture together until it's just combined. Yield: dough for 2 crusts.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/flat-apple-pie-with-perfect-pie-crust-recipe/index.html