Summer Fruit Custard Tart

Name: Summer Fruit Custard Tart
Yield: 8 - 10 servings
Ingredients: Crust; 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (125 mL) ground toasted pecans; 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter softened; 1 egg yolk; 2 tbsp (30 mL) granulated sugar; Pinch salt; Filling; 2 cups (500 mL) mixed fresh seasonal fruit any combination raspberries; blackberries; blueberries; pitted cherries; sliced peaches; 1/2 cup (125 mL) 35% whipping cream; 1/4 cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour; 2 eggs beaten; 1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar; 1 tbsp (15 mL) grated lemon rind; 1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla; Pinch salt

This elegant French tart highlights seasonal fresh fruit in a rich custard that is baked in a nutty pastry crust. For a grand finish, dust it with confectioner's sugar and serve it with some sweetened whipped cream that has been lightly sprinkled with ground cardamom.

Prep: 20 min
Cooking: 35 min
Refrigeration: 1 h

Yields 8 - 10 servings

Ingredients

Crust
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) ground toasted pecans
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter softened
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp (30 mL) granulated sugar
Pinch salt
Filling
2 cups (500 mL) mixed fresh seasonal fruit any combination raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pitted cherries, sliced peaches
1/2 cup (125 mL) 35% whipping cream
1/4 cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated lemon rind
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla
Pinch salt

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and pecans. In another bowl, using a fork, mash butter, egg yolk, sugar and salt until blended; add to flour mixture. Gradually, mash egg mixture into flour mixture with fork to make a dough that holds together. Press into disc, wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) with rack positioned in bottom third. Set out a 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan with removable bottom on a rimmed baking sheet.

Between waxed paper, roll out pastry into an 11 inch (28 cm) circle. Peel off top paper, invert pastry and fit into pan. Trim, if necessary, to leave 1-inch (2.5 cm) overhang; fold inside and press pastry together.

Spread fruit over pastry. In a bowl, gradually whisk cream into flour; whisk in eggs, sugar, lemon rind, vanilla and salt. Pour over fruit.

Bake on baking sheet in bottom third of oven for about 35 minutes or until golden and tip of knife inserted into custard comes out clean. Let cool on rack. (Make-ahead: Set aside at room temperature for up to 1 hour.) Dust with icing sugar and serve with dollop of whip cream (if desired).