A tart as French as the Eiffel Tower.Most people who know me know that I LOVE the French language, French culture... and French cuisine. There is nothing in the world like French bread and French pastries (in fact, one of my dreams is to live in Paris and own a vegan patisserie). So for Urban Vegan's deviant tART contest, I decided to revisit my French cookbook for some inspiration. This simple tart was the result. The flavor of the nectarines really comes through wonderfully, just accented with a hint of sugar and nutmeg.
Simple Nectarine Tarts
1/2 pound vegan pastry dough--frozen, or homemade (recipe below)
2 large nectarines
Melted vegan margarine, for brushing (about 1 tbsp)
2 tbsp demerara sugar, processed until very fine
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
Roll out the pastry dough into a large rectangle (about 10x15 inches) and cut into 6 rectangles. Transfer to a baking sheet. With the back end of a knife, scallop the edges of each rectangle. Then use the knife to score about 1/2 inch from the edges, to make a border. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut the nectarines in half and then slice them thinly. Process the sugar; add nutmeg to taste, and combine. Preheat the oven to 400 (this is an estimate). Working within the borders of each rectangle, layer the nectarines so that the entire center of the dough is covered. Brush the tops of each pastry with melted margarine, then sprinkle the sugar-nutmeg mixture over the tops. Bake about 15 minutes, until the pastry is lightly browned and the nectarines look tender.
If you want to make your own dough, here's the recipe that I used (I was afraid I wouldn't find vegan pastry dough). I adapted this from a Martha Stewart recipe I found online.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegan margarine, cold and cut into small chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt
About 1/2 cup ice water, mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Mix the flour and salt. Cut the margarine into the flour until crumbly. Slowly add the ice water, combining with your hands just until it comes together. Working on a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Fold into thirds (like a pamphlet) and roll out again. Fold into thirds the opposite way. Do this process twice more; then wrap the dough and chill for an hour. After one hour, do the process one more time (roll out, fold into thirds, roll out, fold into thirds the opposite way). Chill until ready to use. If at any time the dough begins to get soft and warm, chill it for a few minutes to allow it to firm up again. The cooler the dough is, the easier it will be to work with.
Bob and I enjoyed eating these! I have been inspired to attempt to veganize all my French favorites. Hmm... vegan crème brulée? I don't really know about that. Oh well...
Simple Nectarine Tarts
1/2 pound vegan pastry dough--frozen, or homemade (recipe below)
2 large nectarines
Melted vegan margarine, for brushing (about 1 tbsp)
2 tbsp demerara sugar, processed until very fine
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
Roll out the pastry dough into a large rectangle (about 10x15 inches) and cut into 6 rectangles. Transfer to a baking sheet. With the back end of a knife, scallop the edges of each rectangle. Then use the knife to score about 1/2 inch from the edges, to make a border. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut the nectarines in half and then slice them thinly. Process the sugar; add nutmeg to taste, and combine. Preheat the oven to 400 (this is an estimate). Working within the borders of each rectangle, layer the nectarines so that the entire center of the dough is covered. Brush the tops of each pastry with melted margarine, then sprinkle the sugar-nutmeg mixture over the tops. Bake about 15 minutes, until the pastry is lightly browned and the nectarines look tender.
If you want to make your own dough, here's the recipe that I used (I was afraid I wouldn't find vegan pastry dough). I adapted this from a Martha Stewart recipe I found online.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup vegan margarine, cold and cut into small chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt
About 1/2 cup ice water, mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Mix the flour and salt. Cut the margarine into the flour until crumbly. Slowly add the ice water, combining with your hands just until it comes together. Working on a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Fold into thirds (like a pamphlet) and roll out again. Fold into thirds the opposite way. Do this process twice more; then wrap the dough and chill for an hour. After one hour, do the process one more time (roll out, fold into thirds, roll out, fold into thirds the opposite way). Chill until ready to use. If at any time the dough begins to get soft and warm, chill it for a few minutes to allow it to firm up again. The cooler the dough is, the easier it will be to work with.
Bob and I enjoyed eating these! I have been inspired to attempt to veganize all my French favorites. Hmm... vegan crème brulée? I don't really know about that. Oh well...
7 comments:
Oh, this pastry looks amazing! I (heart) nectarines!
Awesome! Don't you just love the French and all that they've given us. I really like the Eiffel Tower picture you used in your photo. Your tART sounds devine. I always use freshly ground nutmeg. The already ground stuff doesn't compare.
That is one great looking tart, Laura!! Nectarines are so awesome...
By the way, i think it's so cool about the dream you have... at least this one that you shared... i've never been to France but one day... i hope you get to fulfill this dream for yourself! And i'd be sure to visit your patisserie when there, of course.
looks french to me. I've been to paris once and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get a bad plate of food there
YUM
Teddy
That's an absolutely delish looking french tART! Thanks for the recipe!
Awesome tart! My plan eventually is to live in Europe for a year once my daughter gets on her own(France, England, Germany, Italy - any of those places would work)Was able to visit France a few years back -- loved the long skinny loaves of French bread (wasn't veg at the time so we indulged in French meats/cheese and eclairs as well for a nice little picnic by the Eifel tower). Lovely.
That looks beautiful!
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