CROSTATA DI MELE (Apple tart)

Dessert - Vegetarian

For the dough:

1 1/3 cup of Italian 00 flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 extra large egg

3 tbsp butter, diced and chilled

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 pinch salt

For the stuffing:

3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced

6 amaretti cookies, crumbled

2 tbsp pinenuts

sugar and butter

For the custard:

2 eggs

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp flour

2 cups milk

Prepare the dough: in a bowl arrange all dry ingredients and mix them to combine evenly. Add butter and mix it roughly with flour mixture; form a well and put the egg in it.

Mix all ingredients well but quickly in order not to warm up butter too much (which would result in a "hard" dough), you have to obtain a smooth "ball".

Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes at least.

Prepare the custard: warm up the milk without letting it boil. In a saucepan, with heavy bottom, combine the sugar, the flour and the eggs, whisking to prevent lumps. On low-medium heat add the warm milk in a slow stream, always whisking and bring to boil, whisking continuously; it will take about 5-8 minutes (the warmer the milk, the quicker the cooking). Never stop stirring, otherwise your custard will stick to the bottom and burn, giving it an unpleasant taste.

Set aside and let it cool down to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent film on top.

Preheat oven to 375.

Grease and dust with flour a 9" tart pan (or line it with parchment paper).

Remove dough from refrigerator and roll it on a lightly floured surface until you obtain a disc about 1/4" thick.

Place dough in the tart and punch the bottom with a fork in order to allow steam to escape. Line it with parchment paper and top with dried beans, this will prevent "bubbles" in your tart by weighing on the tart. Bake for about 20 minutes then remove beans and paper and cook for 5 minutes more. Take out of the oven, set aside and let it cool down on a rack.

Prepare the filling: place apples on a baking dish, sprinkle with sugar, dot with butter and bake until golden.

Assemble to tart: pour custard in the tart shell, top with baked apples, sprinkle with crumbled amaretti and serve.

It will serve 8 people at least.

- You can serve it as is, dusted with a little cinnamon powder or confectioners' sugar or with some ice cream.