So I did two adventurous things today: One – baked with figs, which I have never done before. And two – succumbed to my aversion for frangipane (fancy schmancy French name for a mixture of ground almonds, sugar, eggs and vanilla).
And as you can sense already, I was mighty pleased with the results! I made this fig tart for breakfast today and between the two of us, dad was the one who raced me to the last quarter.
I tried a new pie dough recipe this time from the Ottolenghi cookbook. It’s very similar to my regular pie dough recipe that you can use or instead pick your favourite pie dough recipe. Make sure to go through Pie Dough 101 for quick tips for the perfect pie crust. I used the frangipane recipe on Chez Pim and added half a vanilla bean to it – smelled so, so good (thanks to my reader D. who sent the beans to me all the way from Bangalore)! Once you have your dough rolled out, just spread out the frangipane on it and place the sliced figs in concentric circles. Then fold the edges in and crimp it up. A little bit of egg wash and a little bit of icing sugar dusted, it’s ready for the oven. Now bask in the sweet smell that envelopes the house for 40 minutes. Once ready, serve with a dollop of mascarpone cheese or a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream. Such an elegant dessert, but more than that it is a breakfast of the champions, indeed!
Fig Tart with Vanilla Scented Frangipane
Yield: 1 9 inch fig tart
Adapted from: Chez Pim
(Just 1/4th going to be here)
½ cup / 75g whole almonds
1/3rd cup / 75g sugar
75g butter
1 large egg
½ a vanilla bean
- Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Spread the almonds evenly on a baking sheet and place them in the oven. Roast them for about 10 minutes, or until slightly toasted and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool to room temperature.
- Put the cooled almonds and the sugar into a food processor and process until fine. Add the butter and the egg and pulse until well-combined. Stir in the innards of the vanilla bean. If you don’t want to use it right away, divide the frangipane into four equal parts, wrap each tightly in plastic. They will keep in the fridge for a couple of days, and upto a month in the freezer.
1 9″ pastry dough
about 10 large figs or about 15 small ones
1/4 the recipe of frangipane above
Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
- Roll out your pastry dough to about 10-inch diameter. Prick a fork through it every inch or so apart.
- Place the dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread about 1/4 of the quantity of frangipane on the dough, leaving about 1 inch perimeter around the outer edge of the dough. Slice the figs and place them from outside inwards to form concentric circles to cover the frangipane.
- Fold the edges in, pinching a little to make sure they stick. Brush the dough with eggwash and give it a good shower of sugar. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the pastry edges are golden brown.
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Your tart is gorgeous.
Looks delicious, bookmarked!
This looks good…with figs available in abundance this is a nice idea
For a first timer with figs, you did a beautiful job.
Looks colorful n divine! Perfectly baked!
Beautiful…The figs look totally gorgeous in this..
Looks so colourful and tempting…….
Oh I love fig! never made it into a pie.. this is so rustic and makes me feel like a good housewife if I made it
Love your photography so much Shaheen!
It looks so charming! Like something you would whip up on a whim at a small french cottage on a weekend. I bet it would taste wonderful with some fresh whipped cream.
Beautiful photos!
Wow.. Im not really that big fan of Figs.. but I must say this look deliciously awesome =)
it looks gorgeous! I have the Ottolenghi cookbook too, i really have to do something about it.
This picture and the tart is outstanding – you've concentrated the color and flavor of the figs. I just bookmarked a plum frangipane tart for my weekend baking. But you've changed my mind. Love it!
S, this looks so beautiful, what a gorgeous crust as well. can literally smell the aroma. x
You just inspired me S….was amazed to see frangipane in my reader…LOL!! Just made my version of the tart 30 minutes ago after seeing your post. TY! The Ottolenghi book is simply outstanding, isn't it? Hilda gave me my copy in London!!
Absolutely gorgeous!
I am salivating over your photo. Those are some really beautiful figs you used. Fig season is long gone in NYC, but I eagerly await its return. Happy Holidays
love this post! I so much love baking! what kind of oven do u use shaheen? i love figs too!!!!!my god having that breakfast is divine!!!!
regards,
Veda
Figs are something I've never tried because of the name – it doesn't sound very appealing! But they look really gorgeous in your tart and it's making me want to take the plunge and try them!
GLORIOUS tart, Shaheen! Before AND after baking! The colours are amazing.
I can almost smell it! Yum.
Mmmmm…this looks really nice. Figs are a great fruit. Refined yet decadent
Ummm. WOW!
and I don't even know what a fig tastes like
But WOW anyways.
Looks amazing! Figs are so much fun. Definitely going to have to give this a shot since all I ever use figs for are meat sauces.
This si so beautiful. You inspire me to try it
This tart is beautiful and must taste equally great. Thanks for sharing.
Looks spectacular (and tasty).
Mimi
Smashing tart!
I adore figs…the most recent thing I made was figs, game hens and bacon- it was in Gourmet. The figs turned out so sweet when roasted.
I have never tried a fig tart, but I will now!
Purple-eee, I am not a fan of figs .. in fact i detest them as much as my mum luurrvvvees them! But this stuff sounds yummy… I think I should stop visiting your blog.. I feel soooo hungry after
Thank you all
After reading how you guy have used them for roasts with meat, I'm intrigued. Must try it soon. Thanks!
I LOVE figs. Wondering if I can throw some bacon on this…
I've only had frangipane once and wasn't to sure about it but this looks beautiful. Love figs!
This looks delectable! Love baked figs!
Yum, what a marvelous way to start your day!
~ingrid
Simply gorgeous!… The second click is mind blowing purple!.
Looks amazing, especially the colour of those figs!
can't believe i missed this shaheen! what a grand creation. unlike you i love frangipane and figs too so this is one for me!
i've been thinking about making a tart like this for some time now. might have to follow this recipe and just bust it out like you did. beautiful!
Ooh I love the idea of adding half a vanilla bean. And your tart looks awesome!
xx
Pim