Almond Tart with Figs

Almond Tart with Figs

By Jamie Oliver
Selected by “Nerd Consultant” Calvin

One last cake this year. I won’t be doing one in December due to a combination of several work commitments and Christmas which simply means I won’t have time to do it competently. This is one I did for our monthly support group and when I did it I forgot the pastry but tried to make it work as a cake but it had 2 issues. Mainly I struggled to get it out of the tin (thanks for the help with that Reese by the way) and then it crumbled a little to much but still tasted lovely. Also get raw rolled out pre made pastry rather than a pastry case trust me you’ll get a good crust and this will be a winner at Christmas.
I have a link to the original recipe here

Ingredients

375g sweet shortcrust pastry
1 heaped tablespoon plain flour , plus extra for dusting
250g blanched almonds
250g golden caster sugar , plus extra for sprinkling
250g cold unsalted butter , cut in to cubes
1 orange, zest and juice of
1 vanilla pod, halved lengthways and seeds scraped out
3 large free-range eggs
10 whole ripe figs

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4.

2. Roll the pastry out on a clean floured surface until it’s about 0.5cm thick, then unroll it over a 28cm loose-bottomed tart tin.

3. Ease the pastry into the tin, pushing it into the corners and trimming away any overhanging pastry. Prick the base of the tart all over with a fork, then chill in the fridge for around 30 minutes. Blind bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden, then remove from the oven.

4. Whiz the almonds in a food processor until really fine, then add the sugar, butter, ½ the orange zest and the vanilla, then whiz again. Crack in the eggs, blitz, then add the flour and blitz one final time. Spoon the mixture into the pastry case, then spread and push it out to the edges in an even layer.

5. Remove the stems from the figs, score each one on the top in the shape of a cross, then using your thumbs push up from the base to open them right out like a flower. Push them randomly into the top of the tart, sprinkle them with sugar, then bake in the oven for around 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden and set. Leave to cool before serving.

6. Optional: Add the icing sugar and crème fraiche to a bowl with the remaining orange zest and a good squeeze of juice, then mix well before serving alongside the tart, if you like.