When Life Gives You Figs – Make a Fig Tart with Orange Flower Custard

What is your go-to dinner party hostess gift?

A bottle of wine is an easy option, of course. Flowers are nice, but the hostess needs to scramble to find a vase and arrange the bouquet, which might not be practical. David shared this in his post about hostess gifts.

“Never show up empty-handed.” I grew up with this rule, and for many years, it meant I brought a bottle of wine to every dinner party.

As I got older and received many bottles of wine, other issues presented themselves. Should I serve the wine that was gifted to me, even though it doesn’t go with the meal?

Continue reading David’s original post and see the gorgeous mouth-watering photos. The recipe for Fig Tart with Orange Flower Custard adapted from Finecooking Magazine is below. You can use other fruits, such as apricots or peaches, but our personal favourite is figs.

Fig Tart with Orange Flower Custard

David Scott Allen

This delicious tart is easy to make and is a perfect way to use up those figs that your guests brought to your dinner party.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine French, Provencal

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• pinch salt
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter chilled
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 10-12 figs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche see note
• 3 tbsp brown sugar packed
• 2 tsp orange flower water
• flaked sea salt for finishing

Instructions

 

• Combine the flour and salt in a large, wide bowl.
• Cut the butter into 32 pieces and add to the flour; toss to coat.
• Working quickly with your fingertips, pinch the butter into the flour to create flakes of flour-covered butter. Do this until there are no chunks of butter left, only flakes.
• Sprinkle the water on top and toss the mixture with a fork to distribute the water evenly.
• Then, with your hands, pull the dough together and knead briefly to form a ball.
• Refrigerate for 10 minutes before rolling.
• Roll the dough into a 12-inch circle and put it in a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Fold the excess dough down to make a thick rim for the tart, pressing it into the fluted pan.
• Prick the bottom of the pastry all over with a fork, then put it in the freezer for 20 minutes while you heat the oven to 425°F.
• Line the pastry shell with foil and fill it with beans or pie weights.
• Bake until it’s lightly coloured, about 20 minutes.
• Remove the tart and reduce the oven temperature to 400°F; remove the weights and foil.
• Cut the stems off the figs (leave the skins on) and slice the figs in half.
• Whisk the egg yolk, crème fraîche, brown sugar, and orange flower water until combined and then pour into the tart shell.
• Place figs into the custard, cut side up on concentric circles starting from the outside.
• Bake the tart on the baking sheet in the 400°F oven until the custard is lightly coloured and set, about 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the tart with flaked sea salt and serve slightly warm.

Notes

* If you don't have crème fraîche, you can approximate it by putting 1/2 cup heavy cream in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Then add 1 tablespoon of buttermilk, cover, then shake for a few seconds. Set aside at room temperature for 24 hours. You will need to do this a day in advance.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

David Scott Allen

David Scott Allen is the author, photographer, and cook behind Cocoa & Lavender, a weekly food blog based in Tucson, Arizona. Passionate about travel, he especially enjoys eating traditional foods and learning local customs, whether in the United States or around the globe.

David's first trip to France took place when he was 14, and he returned as often as possible thereafter. However, it wasn't until his 50th birthday that he finally made it south to Provence. The beauty, history, charm, warmth, cuisine, and - of course - the rosé wines captured his heart. He shares his Provençal recipes here on Perfectly Provence, and his food and wine pairings monthly on the Provence WineZine.

David is a firm believer that sharing a meal with friends around the table is one of life's greatest pleasures. And if it happens to be in Provence, all the better!