Apricot Tarte Tatin

Apricots become more acidic with cooking and that gives this tart a delicious sweet-and-sour quality. The eventual amount of caramel sauce depends on the juiciness of the apricots. Turn the cooked tart onto a large plate with a lip to catch it all. From the LCBO magazine.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  cup flour
• 1⁄3 cup  cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1  pinch salt
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 8 -12  apricots, halved and pit removed

Directions

1. Place the flour, butter and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs, then add 2 tbsp (25 mL) ice water. Continue to pulse just until the pastry comes together. Turn the pastry onto a floured surface and form into a ball, flatten, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Place the pastry on a floured surface and roll into a 10-inch (25-cm) circle, place on a baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
4. Place the sugar in an ovenproof 9-inch (23-cm) frying pan. Add ½ cup (125 mL) water and place over low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves then increase the heat to high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns a medium caramel colour. Carefully shake the pan from time to time so that the sugar caramelizes evenly.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and very carefully place the apricots, cut-side down, in pan, forming tight concentric circles. Remember the caramel is very hot.
6. Once the caramel has stopped bubbling, place the pastry on top of the apricots, tucking in the edges. (The warmth of the pan and fruit will soften the pastry.) Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue to bake for another 10 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and lightly browned. Some caramel will bubble up over the pastry.
7. Remove the tart from the oven, remembering the handle is very hot, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before turning the tart out. Make sure the edges of the pastry are loose, then place a large plate with a lip over the pan and quickly flip the tart and plate over.