Author Notes
Celebrate late winter with this bright citrus tart, featuring grapefruit and ginger flavored pastry cream on top of a spicy gingersnap crust. The candied ginger garnish is the exclamation point to this perky citrus dessert.
I came up with this happy combination while playing around with a classic French citrus tart recipe in "The Cordon Bleu at Home." The result is a far cry from tradition. While the flavor combination is unusual, the ginger and grapefruit really complement each other. Even my picky husband gave it rave reviews, exclaiming "I could eat the whole thing." —Sasha (Global Table Adventure)
Ingredients
- For the Grapefruit & Ginger Pastry Cream
-
1 cup
strained, fresh grapefruit juice
-
1/2 teaspoon
fresh grated ginger
-
3
egg yolks
-
1/2 cup
sugar
-
1 tablespoon
flour
-
1 tablespoon
corn starch
-
1 teaspoon
brandy (optional)
-
butter, as needed
-
FOR THE GARNISH:
-
1 teaspoon
finely chopped candied ginger
-
1-2 pinches
sugar
- For the Gingersnap Crust
-
1 cup
ground gingersnaps
-
4 tablespoons
melted butter
-
1/4 cup
sugar
Directions
-
FOR THE PASTRY CREAM:
Bring the grapefruit juice and ginger to boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
-
Meanwhile, whisk together egg yolks with sugar in a medium bowl, until pale yellow and fluffy. Then, add in the flour and cornstarch, whisking until smooth.
-
Temper the egg mixture by pouring a little of the grapefruit mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Add the rest of the grapefruit mixture and whisk. Pour back into the pot and bring to a simmer.
-
Whisk continually, while the pastry cream thickens. Once it first bubbles, cook for 5 more minutes or until thickened. Keep the heat rather low or it could burn. Remove from heat and whisk in Cointreau or brandy, if using. Set aside to cool - carefully rub a little butter on top of the pastry cream to keep a skin from forming.
-
FOR THE GINGERSNAP CRUST
Preheat the oven to 375F. Stir together the crushed gingersnaps with sugar and melted butter. Press into 8" tart pan (or springform pan), I found the bottom of a measuring cup really helps to make an even surface. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until slightly browning. Let cool.
-
FOR THE CANDIED GINGER GARNISH
Toss the finely chopped candied ginger with a little sugar, to reduce stickiness. (This step is only necessary if you cut the candied ginger up yourself. If you lucked out and your crystallized ginger already came in tiny pieces it should be evenly coated with sugar).
-
ASSEMBLY
Fill the gingersnap crust with pastry cream, spreading evenly with a spatula. Top with finely chopped candied ginger. Serve chilled - slice with a clean, sharp knife. Enjoy with friends and a smile.
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