Rustic Plum Tarte - Hungarian Style

Hungarians, Croatians, Poles, just about every Eastern European country has its version of plum tarts. This easy rustic plum tart recipe starts with a flaky pie crust pastry dough, followed by a sugary cinnamon plum filling. It's really an open-face pie that exists in almost every culture. This was mom’s way of treating us to dessert in the late summer and early fall while she juggled a million other tasks, including washing and cooking for the hired hands on the farm.  What could be more lovely and delicious?

Crust

1 and ¼ cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

¼ tsp salt

1 1/2 sticks sweet butter

Filling

½ cup sugar

3 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

1 lb of plums (about 20 Italian Prune Plums)

2 tbsp butter, chilled and cubed

Egg Wash

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup milk

Preparation: In a medium bowl stir together the flour, sugar and salt until combined. Using your fingers work quickly (to ensure the butter stays as cold as possible) and cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add in 2 tbsp of cold water, slowly, just enough for the dough to hold together without becoming too wet. Mold into a ball then flatten into a 6 inch disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. Otherwise freeze for later baking, but not more than 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 425oF. Remove dough from fridge, let come to room temperature - about 10 minutes.  Roll out dough onto a floured surface, making it 11"around. Place dough gently on a pizza pan or a cookie sheet.

Plum Filling: Clean and cut plums in quarter slices each, discarding stone. In a small bowl whisk together sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Toss cut plums into mixture to coat.  Arrange plums in concentric circles on dough or for a more rustic look – just pour plums onto the dough leaving a 4” border.  Dot with cold butter.  Gently fold the dough border inwards towards the plum filling overlapping on each turn.  There should be a 4” hole exposing the plum filling in the middle, this is what makes it so great – it’s a pie, but it’s not a pie. Finally, brush with egg/milk wash and sprinkle with ¼ cup sugar.  This will give it a shiny sugary sheen. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350oF and bake until mixture begins to bubble around edge, about 30 minutes. If crust begins to brown to quickly cover with strips of foil. Cool on rack and enjoy!

For more of these rustic Hungarian dishes, log onto http://www.dreammachine.biz/ and thumb through

Helen's Hungarian Heritage Recipes Cookbook.Now available in e-book version and Large Print Edition!

Enjoy

Clara

(AKA Hot Hungarian Chef)