Cherry Amaretto Clafouti Tart with Almond Praline

Almond Crust

• 1/2 cup blanched almonds
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• pinch of salt
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 large egg, beaten

1. Preheat the oven to 350⁰F (175⁰C).
2. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 8-10 mins, stirring once halfway through. (If making the praline, you can toast the sliced almonds also now - about 5 mins.) Let the almonds cool to room temperature.
3. Place the almonds in a food processor and process until ground. Add the flour, sugar and salt and process to combine.
4. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (Don't over-process, the mixture should have pea-size flakes.)
5. Add the egg and process in pulses until the dough begins to clump together.
6. Turn the dough onto a work surface and gently knead once or twice to bring it together. Lightly butter a 9-inch tart pan or pie plate. Transfer the dough to the pan and gently press evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Cover and freeze for at least half an hour.
7. Cover the crust with aluminum foil, place beans or pie weights on top of the foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 mins.

Clafoutis Tart

• 1 pound dark, sweet cherries
• For the Clafoutis Batter:
• 3/4 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons Amaretto
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 9-inch pre-baked almond crust
• For the Almond Praline:
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1. Pit the cherries. (If you don't have a cherry pitter, a vegetable peeler works very well. Insert the pointed tip at the stem end of the cherry and scoop out the stem and the pit.)
2. Preheat the oven to 350⁰F (175⁰C).
3. Make the clafoutis batter: Place the clafoutis ingredients in the blender in the order they are listed and blend to get a smooth batter. Don't over-mix.
4. Place the pitted cherries on the pre-baked crust and pour as much batter as will fit to the rim of the crust.
5. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake in the center of the preheated oven until the edges are puffed and golden and the center is set and does not jiggle when the pan is tapped, about 45 mins.
6. Make the almond praline: Place the sugar in an even layer in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon until the sugar melts. Cook further, stirring only occasionally, until the sugar caramelizes and turns golden. Add the toasted sliced almonds and mix. Pour immediately on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and spread to a thin layer. When it is completely cool, chop the praline into shards with a knife or pulse very briefly in a food processor.
7. Cool the baked tart for 20 mins, garnish with the almond praline and serve immediately or at room temperature.