사과로 꽃 피우기 - Apple Flower Tart

How to make an apple tart.

I make this when I feel like making something rather pretty and eating it too. I recommend this recipe to a baker who likes to use their mandolin and likes to melt butter.

Adapted from various recipes in smitten kitchen's apple & pie archive. (smittenkitchen.com)

Pie Tart:

{Dry Ingredients}
1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
One generous pinch of sugar
One tiny pinch of salt

{Wet Ingredients}
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened just enough for you to be able to cut into 1 cm cubes)
3 1/2 tablespoons (50 ml) cold water (more or less as you see fit)

Baking is basically about mixing the wet and the dry at the right time in the right amount....

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large enough bowl for you to move around a spatula (or any other mixing tool) with some vigor.
2. Throw in the butter, and squish them into dry ingredients using whatever tool you find convenient (an actual pastry blender is the best, but sometimes I use my hands. I have small & cold hands).
3. Mix until the butter bits are the size of small peas. Try to maintain the butter texture.
4. Slowly dribble in water by spoonful as you toss the dough into a ball shape. It should come together into a ball that holds together just enough for you to roll it out, but not a very sticky mess.
5. Roll it out into a disc, let it hang out in a fridge while you prepare the apple.

Apple Filling

1 large apple.
1 teaspoon lemon juice (preferably freshly pressed)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
tiny pinch of salt

1. At this point, turn on your oven to 400F or 200C, approximately. You know your oven best.
2. Melt the butter. I like to microwave this part. Set it aside
3. Wash your apple clean, cut it in half, and cut out the core. I chose to peel my apple, but you don't have to. Up to you.
4. Whip out a mandolin. If you are unfortunately without this fun kitchen item, prepare to practice your knife skills. Slice the apple in half-moon shapes.
5. Toss the apple slices in lemon juice, pinch of salt, and two (2) tablespoons of sugar. Save a spoonful of sugar for later.

Let's assemble!

1. Take out the pie dough. Roll it into a circle large enough to fit into a 9 inch pie pan. Try to make the sides pretty, but I settled for not having holes anywhere. If a crack appears, simply patch it up with a bit from another area.
2. Arrange the apple slices in a circle, or as pretty as you please. If you need help/inspiration, turn to Youtube tutorials.
3. Brush the butter on top of the apple, also covering the sides of the pies.
4. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of sugar.

Bake until the apples are soft and sticky with their own juice and the top is slightly golden. This took 25 min in my oven, but may take less or more in yours. Watch it like a hawk after 15 mins into baking time.

Meanwhile, go find a dessert dish for the pie and get ready to eat. If available, send out a search party for vanilla ice cream. This will go perfectly with the pie.