Pecan Macaroon and Fig Tart
- 12 ounces Calimyrna figs, stemmed, chopped
- 1 cup water
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (packed) grated lemon peel
- Matzo cake meal
- 2 cups (generous) pecans (about 8 ounces), toasted, cooled
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- Melted bittersweet chocolate (optional)
- Pecan halves (optional)
- Combine all ingredients in heavy medium saucepan.
- Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils.
- Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until figs are very tender, about 35 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and filling is thick, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer filling to processor.
- Using about 5 on/off turns, process just until mixture holds together.
- Transfer to small bowl; cool filling.
- (Can be prepared 3 days ahead.
- Cover and refrigerate.)
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Place 13 3/4x4-inch rectangular tart pan with removable bottom onto waxed paper.
- Trace outline of pan bottom on paper; set paper aside.
- Line pan with heavy-duty foil.
- Grease foil; dust with matzo cake meal.
- Combine 2 cups pecans, sugar, ginger and salt in processor; finely grind nuts.
- Add egg and process until moist clumps form.
- Using moistened fingertips, press 1 cup dough over bottom and up sides of prepared pan (crust will be thin).
- Bake crust until puffed and dry looking, about 14 minutes.
- Transfer pan to rack; press bottom of crust lightly to flatten.
- Cool crust completely.
- Maintain over temperature.
- Stir 4 ounces chocolate in top double boiler set over simmering water until melted.
- Spread over bottom of crust.
- Spoon 1 3/4 cups filling over chocolate (reserve remaining filling for another use).
- Press remaining dough over traced rectangle on waxed paper, filling outline completely.
- Using paper as aid, turn dough rectangle over onto tart, aligning carefully; peel off paper.
- Pinch edge of crust and top dough together to seal.
- Bake tart until top is golden and dry looking, about 28 minutes.
- Cool tart completely in pan on rack.
- (Can be prepared ahead.
- Wrap in foil and store 1 day at room temperature or refrigerate up to 5 days.)
- Push up pan bottom to release tart.
- Peel off foil from bottom.
- If desired, dip spoon into melted chocolate and drizzle in zigzag pattern over tart; then dip pecan halves halfway into melted chocolate and arrange decoratively around edge.
- Chill until chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
- Serve tart cold or at room temperature.
water, sugar, fresh ginger, lemon juice, matzo cake, pecans, sugar, ground ginger, salt, egg, bittersweet, bittersweet chocolate, halves
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pecan-macaroon-and-fig-tart-1706 (may not work)