Sweet and Flaky Nectarine Tartlets

Spring and summer always makes me think of fruit. These little tartlets are the perfect ending to a lovely, light summer meal. Although the recipe includes making your own pastry, you can make these even quicker by using a store-bought pie crust.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup ice water

1 large egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

5 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick (4 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

3 nectarines (1 1/4 pounds), pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the ice water, egg yolk and vinegar. In a food processor, pulse the 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of flour with the cornstarch and salt. Add the butter and pulse until it is the size of peas. Sprinkle on the egg mixture and pulse just until a soft dough forms. Turn the pastry out onto a floured work surface and roll it into an 8-inch log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 375°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, water and vanilla bean and seeds to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Add the lemon juice and nectarines; let cool.

3. On a lightly floured work surface, cut the pastry log into sixteen 1/2-inch slices. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out each slice to a 3-inch round and transfer to the baking sheets. Drain the nectarines and arrange on the pastry rounds, leaving a border all around. Fold the border up and over the nectarines, pleating the edges; the tartlets should be about 2 inches wide.

4. Bake the tartlets for about 25 minutes, until they are golden and bubbling; shift the pans halfway through baking. Let cool and serve