200 gm plain flour 100 gm ground almonds 100 gm caster sugar 1 egg + 1 egg yolk 100 gm butter, slightly softened grated zest of a lemon pinch of salt
Mix the flour, almonds and sugar. Make a well in the centre and add the whole egg. Work this mixture together, the add the softened butter, lemon zest and salt. Add the egg yolk into the centre of the bowl and gradually work the flour mixture in from the sides. Knead well until even textured, wrap in film and leave to rest for at least 1 hour before using. Roll out the pastry and line a 25 cm flan tin. Prick the base well, line with greaseproof paper, then chill for 30 minutes. Bake at 190°C for 10-15 minutes, remove paper, and return to the oven at 150°C for a further 10 minutes. Leave to cool before removing the pastry.
150 ml milk 150 ml single cream vanilla pod 1 egg + 1 egg yolk 50 gm caster sugar 20 gm plain flour, sieved
For the crème pâtissière: heat the milk and cream with the vanilla pod, remove from the heat and leave covered for 1 hour. Beat the egg, yolk and sugar until pale. Add the flour. Bring the milk to just under boiling point, remove the vanilla pod and pour into the egg mixture. Strain into a pan and bring to the boil, stirring continuously. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring until it thickens. Leave to cool and spread over the pastry case.
Arrange halved strawberries, cooked sliced pears or cooked sliced apples on the surface. Glaze with a purée of raspberries, redcurrant jelly and white wine that have been simmered together.
For apple or pear tart use a glaze made from the peelings, orange marmalade and brandy that have been simmered together then sieved.
Note: for the best pastry follow the above instructions. It can be made in a food-processor, but then the pastry is best pressed into the tin as it is almost impossible to roll out. It is also safer to make the crème pâtissière in a double saucepan or a bowl over boiling water.