Recipes Apple and Walnut Cream Tart Be the first to rate & review! A layer of ground walnuts adds a fresh nutty flavor to Patrick O'Connell's elegant dessert, served at The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia. Beautiful Desserts By Patrick O'Connell Patrick O'Connell Patrick O’Connell is the award-winning chef/proprietor of the Michelin-starred restaurant The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. Considered a pioneer of regional American cuisine, O’Connell achieved international acclaim for elevating the profile of American cooking over the last four decades at his simple country inn-turned-culinary shrine. He is the author of The Inn at Little Washington Cookbook (1996), Patrick O'Connell's Refined American Cuisine: The Inn at Little Washington (2004), and The Inn at Little Washington: A Magnificent Obsession (2015). Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 6, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Yield: 8 Ingredients PASTRY About 1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour Pinch of sugar Pinch of salt 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1/4 cup cold vegetable shortening 3 tablespoons ice water FILLING 3/4 cup walnuts (about 3 ounces) 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1 large egg 1 tablespoon dark rum 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 3 large Granny Smith apples 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot jam Directions In a bowl, stir the 1 1/3 cups flour with the sugar and salt. Using your fingers, rub the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the ice water on top and stir just until combined. If the dough is sticky, work in 1 more tablespoon of flour. Shape the dough into a ball and pat it out to a 6-inch disk. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Preheat the oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 13-inch circle. Transfer the dough to an 11-by-1-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim the overhang flush with the rim and prick the bottom all over with a fork. Butter a large piece of foil, set it buttered side down on the dough and fill with rice or pie weights. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Remove the foil and weights and bake for about 5 minutes longer until the bottom is just cooked through. Let cool slightly. Lower the oven temperature to 375°. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts until finely ground but not pasty. In a medium bowl, beat the butter with 1/3 cup of the sugar. Beat in the egg, rum and flour until blended. Fold in the walnuts; the mixture may look curdled, but it won't affect the tart. Peel, halve and core the apples and cut them lengthwise into 1/8-inch slices. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with the lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread the walnut mixture evenly in the tart shell. Arrange the apple slices on top in concentric circles and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake the tart for about 35 minutes, or until the apples are browned at the edges and tender when pierced with a knife. Let cool slightly on a rack. In a small saucepan, melt the apple jelly over low heat, stirring, until smooth. (If using apricot jam, strain it after melting.) Brush the apples with the jelly. (The tart can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours. It can be rewarmed gently in a 325° oven.) Remove the sides of the pan and serve the tart warm. Suggested Pairing The warm fruit and nut flavors are the perfect foil for a classic sweet Sauternes. Rate it Print