Guest Post

My Little Italian Kitchen

I love drawing apples, so I thought about creating a post with a recipe.  Unfortunately, I don't bake very well, so I asked Alida from My Little Italian Kitchen, if she would like to added one of her wonderful recipes to my blog.  I love her cooking blog for her delicious creations, but also for the amazing historical facts her adds in about Italy.

Apple Tarts

Little tarts always look cute and inviting. These apple tarts are simple to make.

A spoon of almond essence will give the pastry that almondy flavour which combines perfectly with apples and if you sprinkle some crushed almonds on top you will give them that crunchy bite which will make them irresistible.

As with all shortcrust pastry you will need to work your ingredients quickly to avoid overheating the pastry. The butter should come straight from the fridge.

They have been a great success in my household. In fact they have gone very quickly!

Ingredients: (for 6 tarts)

• 250 g self raising flour
• 100 g sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp almond essence
• 150 g butter
• 4 apples
• chopped almonds
• apricot jam

Put the flour on your working plan, add the egg, sugar, salt, vanilla and almond essence and mix it all up.

Add the diced cold butter and incorporate quickly to the flour mixture to make it into a ball. If it is too sticky put it in the fridge for 30 minutes covered in cling film.

Roll it flat with a rolling pin and lay the pastry into 6 molds for tartlets. Sometimes it is easier to do it with your hands especially if the dough is still a little sticky.

Pinch the base of the tartlets with a fork and spread some jam over them.

Peel and slice the apples into thin edges and lay them on the tarts. Sprinkle with chopped almonds.

Cook them at 200C for 15 minutes.

Dissolve 3 tbsp of jam with a little hot water and brush the top of the tarts so they will get a shiny look!

Thanks Alida!!!!

Pencil on paper

9" x 12"

2012