Puff Pastry For Orange Tart Recipes

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor or using the paddle of an electric mixer, mix 1/2 cup flour with the butter until combined and very smooth. Transfer to plastic wrap and shape into a flat square 1-inch-thick, wrap well, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Combine the salt with the remaining flour in a large bowl, and add the cream. Mix well by hand or with the paddle attachment of an electric mixer; the dough will not be completely smooth but it should not be sticky. Shape it into a flat square 1 1/2 inches thick, wrap in plastic, and chill, at least 30 minutes.
• Remove the flour dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured board, roll the dough into a rectangle twice as long as the butter dough. Place the butter dough in the center, fold up the ends to completely encase the butter dough, and seal the edges by pinching them together. Wrap well in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes, so that the dough achieves the same temperature throughout.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured board, roll it out into a large rectangle approximately 1/2 inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds, aligning the edges carefully, and brushing off any excess flour. The object is to ensure that the butter is distributed evenly throughout so that the pastry will puff evenly when baked. Wrap the dough, and chill it for at least 30 minutes. This completes one turn.
• Repeat this process five more times. Be sure to use as little flour as possible when rolling out the dough, and always brush of any excess. Remember to let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator between turns, or 15 minutes in the freezer. This chilling makes the rolling out process much easier, and it keeps the layers of butter of equal thickness.
• By the sixth and final turn, the dough should be very smooth, with no lumps of butter visible. Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 2 days), or freeze for future use.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with nonstick cooking spray.;
• Sprinkle the cutting board with flour. Roll-out the creases.;
• Unfold the pastry onto parchment paper. Using a fork, pierce a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the puff pastry. Prick the center of the pastry as well, about 10 times all over.
• Arrange the fruit, nuts, and cheese on top of the pastry in a uniform manner, avoiding the border. Brush the fruit with the melted butter and top with the cinnamon and sugar. Bake 15 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and beginning to puff.
• If desired, brush the honey over the fruit and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Puff Pastry Variations:
• Apricot Plum Tart: Cut 2 plums and apricots into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange on top of puff pastry and brush with melted apricot preserves rather than honey.
• Rhubarb Tart: Thinly slice 8-ounces rhubarb stalks on the diagonal and marinate in 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup sugar for 10 minutes. Strain the rhubarb, reserving the juices. Arrange the rhubarb slices on top of the puff pastry. Sprinkle with white sugar. While the pastry bakes, reduce the rhubarb juices until it becomes a syrupy glaze. When the pastry finishes, brush the pastry with the glaze.
• Pear, Pecan and Blue Cheese Tart: Slice 3 cups Bartlett pears and place on the puff pastry. Top with 1/2 cup chopped pecans. After brushing on the honey, top with 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in bottom third of oven. Preferably using an electric knife, cut the oranges crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices, discarding any seeds. In a medium saucepan, combine orange slices, water, and sugar over medium heat. Cook until orange slices are tender and translucent, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.
• Line a baking sheet with a cooling rack. Remove the orange slices from the cooking liquid and place on rack to drain. Return the reserved cooking liquid to the stove and cook over medium-high heat until reduced and slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Roll out puff pastry to form an 11-by-14-inch rectangle. Lightly sprinkle a baking sheet with water. Transfer pastry to baking sheet. Trim edges to form a 10-by-13-inch rectangle. Using a paring knife, lightly score the pastry one-inch from the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through. Spread frangipane evenly over pastry, within the border.
• Top frangipane evenly with drained orange slices. Transfer tart to oven and bake for 45 minutes, rotating baking sheet every 15 minutes for even cooking.
• Immediately slide the tart off the baking sheet onto a cooling rack. Lightly brush orange slices with a little of the reduced cooking liquid; discard remaining liquid. Cool tart to room temperature before serving. Serve with creme fraiche, if desired.