Concord Grape Jam Tart

This is from the October issue of Martha Stewart Living (which is pretty all around amazing). I know, I know, I went a little overboard with the photos. I've been sick all week so my productivity happens in spurts and thus it took me two days to make this dessert–plenty of buffer photo time. Not quite sure what I was doing there with the star placements, kinda reminds me of the Alaskan state flag??? I was watching the VP debates last night....hmmmm! I swear it was not intentional!

Concord Grape Jam Tart

from Martha Stewart Living, October 2008

serves 8-10

For the Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon coarse salt

8 ounces (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces

1/4 cup ice water

For the Jam:

1 1/2 pounds Concord grapes, stems removed ( I used about 2 pints)

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup granulated sugar

salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Coarse sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Crème Fraîche, for serving

1-Make the dough: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor to combine. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream until mixture just begins to hold together. Shape dough into 2 disks, wrap each in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 2 days).

2-Make the jam: Combine grapes and lemon juice in a medium non-reactive saucepan over high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until grapes release their juice, about 7 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the grapes to release all the juice. There should be about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of juice (discard solids). Return juice to a saucepan over high heat, stir in sugar and a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the temperature registers 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer. (I didn't have a candy thermometer at first and my jam was too liquid, so later I put it back on and simmered it forever and I think it got way too thick and gooey-oh well). Let mixture cool, stirring occasionally.

3-On a lightly floured work surface, roll out each disk of dough to 1/8" thickness. Transfer 1 round to a baking sheet lined with parchment, and fit the other into a 9 1/2" tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim edges flush with tart pan. Freeze both until firm, about 15 minutes.

4-Using the wide base of two pastry tips (one 3/4" in diameter and one 1") cut clusters of holes in the dough on baking sheet to create a bunch of grapes. Using a paring knife, cut a stem at the top. Freeze until firm. (I modified the cutout design to create my Alaska tribute, haha)

5-Preheat oven to 375º. Spread 1 cup jam over the dough in tart pan. Brush top edge of dough with egg. Slide remaining dough round one top, centering the design. Press edges to seal, and trim excess dough. Brush top with egg, then sprinkle with sanding sugar. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

6-Bake tart for 15 minutes, then gently tap pan on counter to release air bubbles. Return to oven, and until golden brown and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool. Unmold, and transfer to platter. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche!

AMAZING. Happy Fall Everyone!