I have been craving apricot tart desserts and apple tarts lately, and one of my favorite apricot desserts is my traditional French apricot tart. It is always our tradition to have some kind of apricot pastry, apricot tart or the apple tart for special gatherings or events. I call it a tart instead of a pie because a tart can not compare to a pie. I would rather call them pie tarts than just a pie. The ingredients used in this French apricot tart compared to the ingredients of a pie are a lot different. A French tart is of a higher quality than a regular pie and the taste afirms that. It's shell or crust compared to a pie crust is so different. When ever I eat pies I am always disappointed with the taste of the crust or shell. Pie crusts usually taste so bland and buttery, but the crust on this apricot tart is delicious and so satisfying for the pallate. My recipes for making tart shells uses a combination of butter and natural vegetable oil products such as Earth Balance, which is organic and cholesterol free. Earth Balance spread is naturally free of trans fats and hydrogenated oils and may help to improve your cholesterol ratio. Ordinary tart shells use only butter which can be very greasy and heavy and have a high cholesterol content.
The filling of the tart is a mixture of marzipan (another word for almond paste) and custard with the apricot halves placed on top. I also like to brush on an apricot glaze that gives the apricots a sweeter taste and makes the appearance look great. For creating the apricot glaze, I use organic reduced sugar apricot preserves. Then my final touch is to place some slivers or slices of almonds for the final gourmet taste.
Marzipan really does wonders to your baking, it gives it a taste of uniqueness. It also gives the tart a true gourmet taste that keeps you from ever wanting to eat or make another ordinary pie.
Next time don't just bake an ordinary pie for your guests. Instead make the apricot almond tart with French custard that will make your guest's taste buds dance. A dessert tart entices one to come to an event or gathering. I am in the process of writing some tart recipes, and especially apple tart recipe's which every one loves to eat. In all my recipes, I use healthy and high quality ingredients, which makes my desserts rich in taste but light in calories.
