Rhubarb-Strawberry Tart

It has been a long winter here in the New York Metropolitan Area. After weeks and weeks of the snow piling up, one snowstorm after the other, we are finally getting some days of warmer (above freezing) weather, and the snow is beginning to melt. This week, for the first time all month, I can see some of the grass in the front yard! This can only mean one thing: Spring is coming!

I am celebrating the first signs of the warm weather to come, as well as the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, with this succulent red tart, brimming with rhubarb and strawberries.

Ingredients:

Tart shell

200 grams flour

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons ice-cold water

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

(+ 2 teaspoons melted butter and 1 teaspoon sugar to brush and sprinkle over prepared crust)

Filling

3/4 pound rhubarb

3/4 pound strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

Glaze

2 tablespoons strawberry preserves

1 teaspoon water

1/4 cup sugar

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Make your tart crust by combining the flour, sugar and salt, and cutting in the butter, making sure to leave the mixture a little coarse so that the pea-sized chunks of butter can melt during baking, resulting in a flakier crust. Moisten the mixture with the water and almond extract, and gently mix together until the liquid is uniformly incorporated. Pat the dough into a ball, flatten into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Next wash the strawberries and rhubarb, and trim the ends and leaves. Slice into thin pieces. Mix with the sugar and flour in a large bowl.
• Roll out the dough, place in a tart dish, and fill it with the rhubarb-strawberry mixture. Brush the exposed crust with melted butter, and sprinkle with sugar.

• Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Prepare the glaze by melting the sugar, preserves and water in a small saucepan.
• Remove from the oven, brush the top with the glaze to ensure an evenly shiny finish, and let cool.

Happy Valentines Day!