Almond Fruit Tart

This is a less rich rendition of the popular French tart. It makes a lovely complement to a shared pot of freshly brewed tea.

A flaky crust with ground almonds is the perfect palette for berries or poached pears. Whole raspberries, blueberries or blackberries, or poached pears can be used. Feel free to try other favorite stone fruits and berries in season!

Food as Medicine

Unsalted, organic nuts are very healthy – in moderation. The monounsaturated fat that nuts contain is good for the heart and, in fact, can lower your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

PASTRY
1 cup oat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
1/4 cup skinned ground almonds
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
4 tablespoons diced cold butter
4 – 5 tablespoons cold purified water

FILLING
1/4 cup pine nuts
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup unbleached flour
1/4cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1 egg yolk
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons Amaretto

JAM GLAZE AND FRUIT TOPPING
1/2 cup all-fruit strawberry or apricot jam or jelly
3 tablespoons purified water
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 pints (3 cups) raspberries, blackberries (or poached pears)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Make the pastry: Put all the ingredients for the pastry, using 3 tablespoons water, in a food processor and pulse briefly about 6 times, just until smooth, about 30 seconds. If the dough seems very dry, add 1 or 2 more tablespoons water and pulse briefly again. Cut a piece of parchment paper that measures 10 x 10 inches, roll the dough into a ball, wrap it in the paper, and chill it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. The parchment paper may seem large for the dough ball, but you will be using it later in the recipe.

After the dough has chilled, unwrap it and roll it out on the parchment paper with a rolling pin, making a circle that stretches about 11/2 inches beyond the edges of a 9-inch pie pan. Flip the parchment paper over onto the pie pan and peel off the paper. Press down on the dough with your fingers, molding it to the bottom and sides of the pie pan. Trim excess dough with a knife so that it is flush with the edge of the pan.

Refrigerate, covered, for 15 minutes.

Remove the pan from the refrigerator and bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven until the crust is dry in the center. You can test for dryness by inserting a toothpick in the center; when the toothpick comes out dry, the crust is done. Let it cool for 15 – 20 minutes.

Make the filling: Process all the filling ingredients in a food processor until smooth and pour into the crust. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top puffs up and is golden brown. Let cool.

Make the glaze: Heat the jam and water together in a saucepan on low heat until syrupy. Strain the glaze through a wire mesh strainer over a bowl. Brush the syrup over the tart. Arrange the kiwi slices around the perimeter of the tart and the fresh raspberries (or poached pears) in the middle. Brush another layer of jam glaze over the raspberries and kiwi to make the fruit shine and to hold them together. To serve, quarter the pie, then cut each quarter into 3 pieces.