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Port Glazed Grape Tarts with Pecan Crust
in Diana's Recipe Book
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| Servings: Makes 2 (11 x 8-inch) tarts |
| Comments: Our food editors loved shavings of Stilton cheese on these tarts. We understand that nobody has much room for dessert after a big meal, much less one with cheese, but these tarts are actually quite light and refreshing: The Stilton lends depth and provides a savory counterpoint to the sweet grapes and crust. |
Ingredients:  For Tart Shells: 1/2 cup pecans (2 oz), lightly toasted 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup (2 sticks/8 oz./226g) cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 3/4 teaspoon salt For Grape Filling: 2 cups Ruby Port 1 1/2 cups Concord grape jelly 3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste 5 pounds small red seedless grapes, stems discarded (12 1/2 cups) Special equipment: 2 (11 1/4- by 8- by 1-inch) rectangular tart pans with removable bottoms, or 2 (10-inch) round fluted tart pans with removable bottoms |
| Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C. Make Tart Shells: Pulse pecans with brown sugar in a food processor until finely ground (do not allow to become a paste). Add flour, butter, cinnamon, ginger, and salt and pulse until mixture begins to form large lumps. Divide mixture between tart pans and press evenly over bottom and up sides with floured fingers. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake tart shells in lower third of oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer shells in pans to racks to cool completely. Carefully remove sides of pans, keeping shells on pan base. Make Filling while Shells cool: Simmer Port and jelly, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, about 30 minutes, then stir in lemon juice. Immediately toss grapes with 1 cup glaze in a large bowl until well coated, then mound in tart shells. Just before serving, drizzle tarts with more glaze and serve remainder on the side. Makes 2 (8 x 11-inch) tarts. Notes: • Tart shells can be made 2 days ahead and kept in pans, loosely covered, at room temperature. Remove sides of tart pans before filling. • Port glaze can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat before proceeding. • Tarts can be assembled 4 hours ahead. |
| Source: Gourmet Magazine, November 2002 |
| Date: August 22, 2007 |