I devised this recipe, based on a couple of similar ones, because I have just acquired a rectangular flan tin! I love the simplicity and regularity of the shape of the tart when baked.
It’s also very easy to cut into portions, small or large, to serve. My tin is about 36 cm long x 13 cm wide.
Ingredients
Pastry
140g plain flour
50g ground hazelnuts
100g butter, diced
50g caster sugar
1 free range egg yolk
Filling
1 cup ground almonds + 1 tablespoon of flaked almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup plain flour
100g butter, softened
2 free range eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
Icing sugar, for dusting
Method
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C.
For the pastry, put the flour and ground hazelnuts into the food processor and add the butter. Process until the mixture looks like bread crumbs, then add the sugar and pulse. Add the egg yolk and 1-2 tbsp cold water, then pulse briefly until the dough comes together.
Roll out the dough between 2 pieces of cling wrap with a rolling pin to fit the rectangular flan tin. Removing the cling wrap, carefully ease the dough into the tin. Make sure the dough comes all the way up the sides of the tin and press dough into the sides. Lightly prick bottom all over with a fork. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes (or freeze for 10 minutes).
Line the shell with baking paper and fill with pie weights. Bake until sides are set and edges are pale golden,15-20 minutes.
Carefully remove baking paper and weights and bake shell until golden all over, 10-15 minutes more. Cool completely.
For the filling, pulse ground almonds, flaked almonds and 1/4 cup of the sugar in the food processor until just mixed. Set aside, then use the processor to beat the butter and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts. Mix in almond mixture until just combined.
Spread filling evenly in the tart shell and scatter the cut grapes over it, lightly pressing them in. Bake until filling is puffed and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. While still hot, dust tart with icing sugar, then cool completely.
Serve at room temperature with double cream and/or ice cream.
The Quirk and the Cool 