Ingredients

  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup apricot jam
  • 2 tablespoons brandy, or Kirsch
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup blueberries, rinsed and patted dry
  • Fresh mint sprigs, garnish
  • 1/4 cup slivered, blanched almonds, lightly toasted and cooled
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, split in 1/2 lengthwise and seeds scraped out
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch, measured, then sifted

Method

  • Almond Crust, recipe follows
  • Vanilla Pastry Cream, recipe follows
  • Bake the pie crust according to the recipe and let cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Spoon pastry cream into the crust, smoothing top.
  • In a small saucepan, combine the vanilla, jam and brandy.
  • Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the jam.
  • Remove from the heat, strain and let cool.
  • Arrange the sliced strawberries in overlapping concentric circles around the top of the cream.
  • Alternate with a row of blueberries.
  • With a pastry brush, brush the tops with the jam glaze.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • To serve, lift the tart from the side of the pan and place on a serving dish or cake stand.
  • Cut into wedges, and garnish each serving with a fresh mint sprig.
  • Almond Pastry Crust:
  • In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse to finely grind the almonds.
  • Add the flour, sugar and salt, and process to blend.
  • Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • With the machine running, add the egg yolk and extract through the feed tube and process until combined.
  • Add the ice water and process just until a dough forms.
  • Remove from the machine.
  • Fit into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing the dough first along the sides and then evenly across the bottom.
  • Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Line the dough with parchment paper and pie weights or beans.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the parchment and weights and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
  • Yield: 1 (9-inch) crust
  • Vanilla and Orange Pastry Cream:
  • In a medium, heavy saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, vanilla bean pods and seeds, orange zest and juice.
  • Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, whisking to dissolve the sugar.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until pale yellow, about 2 minutes.
  • Slowly add 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly until smooth.
  • Add the egg yolk mixture to the pan of hot milk and whisk to combine.
  • Return to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a heavy wooden spoon until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and strain into a clean container, scraping the bottom of the strainer with a spoon.
  • Discard the vanilla bean or rinse and reserve for another use.
  • Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
  • Refrigerate until well chilled, about 3 hours, before using.
  • Yield: about 2 1/4 cups