Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into bits
1 tablespoon water, with
1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sliced blanched almonds
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cream
1 teaspoon orange-flavored liqueur ( such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
whipped cream (optional)
Directions:
For pastry: Blend flour, sugar and butter until it resembles coarse meal.
Add water with vanilla and almond extract and form dough into a ball.
Press dough into a 9 inch flan/tart pan and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 390 F.
Line with wax paper or foil and fill with pie weights or beans.
Bake pastry in lower third of preheated oven for 7 minutes.
Remove pie weights and paper and bake 3 minutes longer, or until golden.
Let cool.
For filling: Combine well almonds, sugar, cream, liqueur, almond extract and salt; let stand 15 minutes.
Pour into pastry shell and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until top is browned and caramelized.
Let cool before serving.
Serve with whipped cream, if you wish.
Servings: 8
Time preparation: 20 min.
Time total: 70 min.