Apricot Tarte Tatin

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Make the pastry. In a food processor, combine the flour, butter, sugar and salt. Process until the mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs (about five seconds). Add the cold water and process briefly, turning the machine on and off, until the mixture looks like small peas. Do not allow to become a ball in the machine.

2. Step 2

   Turn mixture out onto lightly floured board and knead lightly until it holds together. With heel of palm of your hand, flatten it into a thick pancake about six inches across. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. It will keep unfrozen up to three days before being used.

3. Step 3

   Cut apricots in half and remove pits. Melt butter and sugar in nine-inch cast-iron skillet. Arrange apricot halves in circles on top and cook over moderate heat, without burning, until sugar begins to caramelize. Be careful not to burn. Cool completely.

4. Step 4

   Roll out pastry into 10-inch circle. Place it on top of apricots, cutting off excess dough. Put edges down over fruit. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Step 5

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

6. Step 6

   Prick the pastry all over with the point of a knife. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the pastry is cooked.

7. Step 7

   Cool and turn out onto a plate. Do not be dismayed if some of the apricots stick to pan; simply scrape them off and put them on top of pastry.