Cherry Tart

Crust
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 large egg

Filling
1 cup cherry preserves
1/2 cup chopped dried Bing (sweet) cherries (about 2 1/2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup unsalted natural pistachios, chopped

Glaze
1 large egg
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar

For crust:
Combine flour, sugar, and salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter and cut in, using on/off turns, until mixture resembles fine meal. Add egg and process just until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; divide in half. Flatten each half into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)

For filling:
Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Mix preserves, chopped cherries, peel, and almond extract in medium bowl.

Roll out 1 dough disk on lightly floured surface to 11-inch round. Transfer round to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough gently into pan; trim overhang even with top of pan sides. Spread filling in crust; sprinkle with pistachios. Roll out second dough disk on lightly floured surface to 11-inch round; cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips. Arrange several strips, spaced 3/4 inch apart, over filling. Top with more strips at slight angle, forming lattice. Press strip ends to edge of pan, trimming overhang.

For glaze:
Beat egg and whole milk in small bowl to blend. Brush some of glaze over lattice crust; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.

Bake tart until crust is golden brown and cherry filling is bubbling thickly, about 1 hour 5 minutes. Cool tart completely in pan on rack. (Tart can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)

Historical Background: From Malta. This thin, cookie-like tart with a lattice crust is offered on a feast day that commemorates the birth of the Virgin Mary and the exit of the Turks in 1565.

Serves: 8 to 10

Source: Epicurious.com, Bon Appétit, May 2002

Prepared by: Julieta for the September 2000 meeting. (Note: This is different from the recipe Julieta used.)