When I visited Mont Saint-Michel several years ago, there were several shops, on the main street that wound up the hill, that all featured a tart that had an almond custard filling. Some had a few almond slices on top. Some may have had a pie crust like shell. They were firm, and were cut like a pie wedge. They were easy to eat with a fork. I would love to have a recipe for this desert from one of the shops. I remember one shop that served the tart had an upstairs, as well as downstairs eating area. There were windows upstairs that overlooked the street. I've tried other recipes, but none come out like the one on the island.
Posted by
California 🦋
5212 posts
I've not been to MSM (yet), but this one looks yummy:
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/chez-panisse-al/
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
It wasn't just a normal Frangipane, as is the filling for most fruit tarts in France - then topped with strawberry, or nectarine, or apple.
Almond Frangipane
100g softened butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 cup almond meal
1/4 cup plain flour
- Beat butter & sugar til pale & creamy.
- Add egg & extra yolk, beating til just combined.
- Add almond meal & plain flour, stir to combine.
- Spoon into baked 22cm pastry case, flatten & smooth.
- Bake in 180c oven for approx 30mins.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1113 posts
I'm planning my first trip to MSM in the spring and will definitely be on the lookout for this almond tart! It's just like the baguettes with ham I've eaten in Paris. It sounds so simple but so hard to replicate. I found a Vietnamese bakery that can make the most delicious baguette close to me but the ham and cheese/butter have remained elusive.
Posted by
California 🦋
5212 posts
Wow, David!
I didn't know you like to bake too!
Smanastas, if you google, "Almond Frangipane'. you'll find so many deliciously sounding recipes.
I may have to try baking one of these for the holidays ;-)
Years ago while visiting Girona, Spain, my mom & I ate a delicious apple cake & I asked the cafe owner for the recipe & she gave it to me.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Chicago
8056 posts
Claudette. for me it is the butter. I love French butter and when my husband and I are in Paris we have baguettes with butter for breakfast rather than croissants. I have looked at lots of butter imports in the US hoping to find something similar to the demi sel butters easily found in any grocery store in France. The closest I have come is a butter from Finland called Finlandia. It isn't the same but is closer in nice buttery taste than any other imported butters we have tried. It is available in some of our supermarkets here in Chicago and so might be near you as well.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Yes, the butter is good in France.
Not especially into baking Priscilla, but cooking in general, yes.