Oven temperature: 180° C (350° F)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: About 30 minutes
Material: 5 cm (2") ring molds, 7 cm (3") high

To celebrate the autumn orachrds, a flaky apple tart with lemon curd, apples "in the air" and an old-fashioned caramel sauce.

When it comes to apples, Brittany is well-situated. The Rance Valley is rich in many varieties, particularly cider apples, but also eating apples that keep until the next year. Unfortunately, certain threatened varieties are rarely replanted.

Flaky tart

1. Make a small apple tart by rolling out 50 g (2 oz.) puff pastry into a 10 cm (4") circle.
2. Peel and core 2 Golden apples, slice them thinly and arrange evenly over the pastry. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and dot with butter. Bake in a 180°C (350°F) oven.

Lemon curd

1. Bring the juice of 2 lemon to a boil in a saucepan. 
2. Meanwhile, beat 1 egg with 20 g (4 tsp.) of sugar in a bowl. Add 10 g (2 tsp.) custard powder. Add the lemon juice, then return to the heat and cook like a pastry cream. Remove from the pan and refrigerate. 

Apple cakes

1. Peel 4 "reine des reinettes" apples and cut each into 8 wedges. 
2. Heat a non-stick skillet with 20 g (4 tsp.) butter and brown the apple wedges. Add 10 g (2 tsp.) sugar, the juice of a lemon and a pinch of cinnamon. 
3. When nicely browned, place the apple wedges into metal ring molds, 5 cm (2") in diameter and 7 cm (3") high. Finish cooking the apples in a 180° C (350° F) oven for about 10 minutes. 

Last minute - caramel sauce 

1. Place 50 g (1/4 cup) sugar in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until browned, without letting it burn. 
2. Add 10 g (2 tsp.) butter and 100 g (3 1/2 oz.) cream. Boil the sauce for 1 minute.
3. Cut the Granny Smith apples into thin slices, leaving the skin on.
4. Cut the Starkinson apples into 2 mm (1/16") matchsticks.

Presentation

1. On the edge of the plate, place a spoonful of lemon curd, then arrange the sliced and matchstick apples attractively, giving them as much volume as possible. 
2. Sprinkle with a few walnut pieces.
3. Cut the apple tart and place a piece on each plate, as well as one of the baked apple cakes.
4. Pour some caramel sauce around the perimeter and garnish with a sprig of mint.