APPLE TARTE TATIN

THE BEST APPLE TART!

 

APPLE TARTE TATIN

 

Inescapable French dessert! The story behind this recipe is that it was created by accident by the Tatin sisters in the 1880s. They had a hotel in Sologne (Loire Valley). The tart became a signature dish and is a staple especially in this region but also all over the country. Hope you’ll love it!

 

Preparation: 10 min. the day before and 30 min. the next day

Cooking time: 1 h 30

 

The pastry dough:

4 3/8 oz. all purpose flour                                           

3 ½ oz. unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)

2 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ tbsp cold water

 

The apples:

5 golden apples

7 1/8 oz. sugar

4 3/8 oz. salted butter

3 tbsp. water

 

The day before, prepare the pastry dough.

Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer, and using the dough hook, mix 1 minute or more to combine and until a ball forms. Flatten into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate.

 

The next day:

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Place the sugar in a medium saucepan and add 3 tbsp. of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook until the sugar starts to thicken and becomes brown. When the caramel is obtained, take the saucepan of the heat and add the butter (cut into small pieces). Stir to combine.

Pour the caramel on the bottom of the pie dish.

Peel the apples remove the seeds and cut them in 4 pieces. Display the pieces of apples on top of the caramel (round side on the bottom).

Bake 1 hour.

Take the pastry dough out of the refrigerator. Let stand 30 min. On a lightly floured surface, press rolling pin gently all over dough to flatten. Roll the dough into a round about 1 ½ inches larger than the pie plate. Refrigerate.

Take the apples out of the oven and let cool down 15 minutes. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and put it over the apples, making sure the edge of the dough is inside the pie plate.

Bake 25 minutes or until the pie is golden.

Take the pie out of the oven and let cool down 15 minutes before turning it into a flat dish.

Serve warm or cold with some crème fraiche.

 

Bon Appetit!

COD BRANDADE

COMME A NIMES!

 

COD BRANDADE

 

This fish recipe is outstanding! It is originate from the city of Nimes. Pair with a white wine from Cotes-du-Rhone such as Costieres de Nimes. Enjoy!

 

Preparation: 45 min; Cooking time: 55 min.

Serving 4

 

1 ½ lb of fresh cod

 5 garlic cloves

2 cups of milk

2 cups of heavy cream

2 sprigs of thyme

 1 bay leaf

 1 ½ lb of gold potatoes

4 sprigs of parsley

 8 chives + more for garnish

 5 tbsp of olive oil

1 3/8 oz of bread crumbs

 8 sage leaves + more for garnish

 1 cup of fish fumet or bouillon

 1 3/8 oz of butter

 Salt and pepper

 

 Peel the garlic and cut it in half. Discard the green part in the middle of the cloves.

 Bring the milk and cream to a boil; add coarse salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf.

Poach the cod in the mixture for 15 minutes without boiling.

 When the cod is cooked, use a skimmer to take it out of the liquid and cut it into pieces.

 Peel the potatoes cut them into pieces and cook them in the same liquid as the fish for 25 minutes or until tender. Stir frequently.

 Mash the potatoes. Filter the liquid (milk and cream). Mix the fish and potatoes together and incorporate some liquid until good consistency.  Season it with salt and pepper.  Add chopped parsley, finely cut chives and 3 tbsp of olive oil.

 Preheat the oven to 400.

Put the brandade in a baking dish. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and drizzle some olive oil. Bake 20 minutes or more until golden.

 Boil the fish fumet and add the finely chopped sage leaves. Add little pieces of butter and stir constantly on low heat. Add salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

 Serve the brandade with the sage sauce. Decorate with sage leaves and chives.

 

BON APPETIT!