Mincemeat Marzipan Apple Tarte Fine

Introduction:

Indulge in the festive flavors of Christmas with this exquisite mincemeat marzipan apple tarte fine. This delectable pastry combines the aromatic spices of mincemeat, the sweet almondy goodness of marzipan, and the crisp freshness of apples, creating a treat that is both visually stunning and tantalizingly delicious.

Ingredients:

For the Pastry:

* 250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
* 125g cold unsalted butter, cubed
* 1 large egg yolk
* 50ml ice-cold water

For the Mincemeat Filling:

* 400g mincemeat
* 50g marzipan, grated
* 1 tbsp brandy (optional)

For the Apple Topping:

* 3 apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
* 1 tbsp lemon juice
* 2 tbsp demerara sugar

Instructions:

To Make the Pastry:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour and butter.
2. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Add the egg yolk and ice-cold water and mix until the dough just comes together. Do not overwork the dough.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.

To Make the Mincemeat Filling:

1. In a bowl, combine the mincemeat, marzipan, and brandy (if using). Mix well.

To Assemble the Tarte:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced).
2. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a circle slightly larger than a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin.
3. Line the tart tin with the pastry and trim the edges.
4. Spread the mincemeat filling evenly over the pastry base.
5. Arrange the apple slices on top of the mincemeat, overlapping them slightly.
6. Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples and sprinkle with the demerara sugar.

To Bake:

1. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender.
2. Allow the tarte to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips:

* For a richer flavor, use homemade mincemeat.
* If you don't have brandy, you can use orange juice instead.
* You can also add other dried fruits or nuts to the mincemeat filling, such as raisins, sultanas, or almonds.
* To create a lattice crust, cut the remaining pastry into strips and weave them over the apple topping.