Butterscotch Tartlets Recipes

BUTTERSCOTCH TARTLETS

Steps:

• To make the crust--In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and cut it into the dough using two knives, a pastry blender, or your fingertips until the dough looks crumbly. Add the egg and 1 tablespoon water; mix with a fork until the dough just holds together. (If the dough won't come together, add up to another 1-1/2 teaspoons water, a tiny bit at a time.) Don't overmix; the dough should feel slightly sticky. Shape the dough into a 6-inch log. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the chilled dough into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a round about 1/8-inch thick. Prick the rounds all over with a fork and gently fit them into 4-inch tartlet pans, trimming any excess dough. Line each tartlet with foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake the tartlet shells for about 15 minutes. Remove the pie weights and the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until golden. Cool on a rack.;
• Combine the toasted nuts, coconut, and raisins with the warm butterscotch sauce. Divide the filling among the six tartlet shells. Bake until the filling at 400 degrees just starts to bubble, 7 to 9 minutes. Using a wide spatula, carefully transfer the tartlets to a rack. Allow the tartlets to cool for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the tartlets from their pans and serve warm with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream or creme fraiche, if you like. Yield: 6 servings;

RHUBARB TART WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring rhubarb, sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir until thickened and rhubarb is tender. Cool slightly. Transfer to a food processor; cover and process until mixture is smooth; set aside., For crust, place the flour, pecans, butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in a food processor; cover and process until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. tart pan with removable bottom. Bake crust at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned., Meanwhile, in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, zest and rhubarb mixture until blended. Add butter; cook until butter is melted, whisking constantly. Stir in food coloring if desired; pour into prepared crust., Bake at 350° 12-15 minutes longer or until center is almost set. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.