Apple-Quince Tarte Tatin
- 1 cup (140 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons (2 ounces/60 g) unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch (1.5-cm) pieces and chilled
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) ice water
- 8 medium apples (4 pounds/2 kg)
- 2 medium quinces (1 pound/450 g)
- 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces/45 g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar
- To make the dough, in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a bowl with a pastry blender), mix together the flour, the 2 teaspoons sugar, and the salt.
- Add the 4 tablespoons (2 ounces/60 g) chilled butter pieces and keep mixing until the butter pieces are about the size of corn kernels.
- Add the ice water and mix until the dough comes together.
- Gather the dough and shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- To prepare the fruit and assemble the tart, peel, quarter, and core the apples.
- Peel, quarter, and core the quinces, then cut them into 1/4-inch (6-mm) slices.
- Melt the 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces/145 g) butter in a 10-inch (25-cm) cast iron skillet.
- Sprinkle the 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar over the bottom of the pan and remove from the heat.
- Pack the apples tightly in the pan, standing them on end, with the cored sides facing inward.
- It may seem like a lot of fruit, but theyll cook down considerably.
- Insert the quince slices between the apples.
- Place the skillet on the stovetop and cook over medium heat until the juices thicken and become lightly caramelized, about 25 minutes.
- While theyre cooking, press down on the apples to ease them into the pan and promote caramelization.
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
- Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough into a 12-inch (30-cm) circle.
- Drape the dough over the apples in the skillet and tuck the edges down between the sides of the skillet and the apples.
- Bake the tart until the pastry has browned, about 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and invert a serving plate over the skillet.
- Wearing long oven mitts, grasp both the skillet and the plate and turn them over together, away from you, to unmold the tart.
- Be careful of any hot juices that may spill out!
- Although purists say tarte Tatin is best served on its own, others appreciate a spoonful of creme fraiche or Vanilla Ice Cream (page 143) on top or alongside.
- The dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Tarte Tatin should be served warm the day its made.
- You can make it an hour or so in advance and leave it on the serving plate, under the overturned skillet, to keep it warm after baking.
- It can also be rewarmed in a low oven.
- Poaching the quince before assembling the tart will turn them a lovely ruby-red color and bring out even more flavor: In a medium saucepan, bring 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar, 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) water, and a 2-inch (5-cm) piece of vanilla bean, split lengthwise, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then decrease the heat to maintain a simmer.
- Peel, core, and cut the quinces into eighths.
- Put the pieces in the saucepan, cover with a circle of parchment paper cut to fit inside the pan, and simmer gently, covered, until tender, 30 to 60 minutes.
- Once poached, the quince can be kept in the refrigerator in the poaching liquid for up to 1 week.
- When assembling the tart, tuck the poached quince pieces between the apples.
- The poaching liquid can be reduced in a skillet until thick and syrupy, cooled slightly, and used as a sauce, if desired.
- Use a full-flavored apple, one that wont turn to mush during cooking.
- Winesap, Granny Smith, Northern Spy, Pippin, and Jonagold work well.
flour, sugar, salt, unsalted butter, water, apples, butter, sugar
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/apple-quince-tarte-tatin-379550 (may not work)