Broiled Apricots With Stirred Custard Recipes

APRICOT CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Slice the apricots 3/4-inch thick, discarding the pits. Place the apricots in the prebaked tart shell in a decorative pattern. Set aside.
• Combine the sugar, egg yolks, and cream in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until combined. Stir in the flour and salt. Carefully pour the creamy mixture over the apricots.
• Sprinkle the almonds over the top of the tart. Bake until the custard is almost completely set, about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
• In a small bowl, mix the egg and cream together. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and butter. Using the paddle attachment on low speed, mix in the butter until it is the size of small peas. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg mixture. Mix the dough just until it is no longer dry looking. It will still be loose and crumbly at this point.
• Place the dough on the work surface. With your hands, combine and form the dough into a single ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm but still malleable.
• Roll out dough and fit it into a 9 1/2-inch tart shell. Prebake the shell in a preheated 325 degree F oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 (9 1/2-inch) tart shell

BROILED APRICOTS WITH STIRRED CUSTARD

Steps:

• Make the custard: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg yolks and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until pale yellow and thick, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add flour. Beat just to combine, about 30 seconds.
• In a medium saucepan, scald milk and vanilla bean over medium heat. Discard vanilla bean. With mixer running, pour half the milk into egg mixture, and beat until smooth. Return the mixture to saucepan, and set over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture just begins to bubble, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl; cover with plastic wrap touching surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until needed, up to 3 days.
• Make apricots: Heat broiler. Halve apricots along their natural line; remove pits. Place halves on a baking sheet, cut side up. Fill each cavity with 1/2 teaspoon each of butter and brown sugar.
• Place apricots under the broiler 3 inches from heat. Cook until the butter has melted, the sugar has started to bubble and caramelize, and the apricots have softened, about 3 minutes, depending on ripeness of the fruit. Let cool slightly.
• When ready to serve, spoon custard into individual serving bowls, dividing evenly; garnish each portion with 2 or 3 broiled apricot halves.