Red Wine Grape Tart

Well ladies, I think I've done it; found a cure for PMS that is!  Why didn't I find this recipe sooner?  I went into Costco the other day and they were handing out free cookbooks, "Smart Cooking The Costco Way, (yes).  There are tons of good recipes in it, but this grape tart really caught my eye.  It had wine jello on top of it, what evil genius thought of that idea.  Please call me so we can hang out.  With some tweaks, this beautiful tart was born.

I've made two tarts in a row now.  There is just something about making a tart that makes you just a tad bit classier.  You could be sitting on the couch in your underwear drinking a beer and eating a piece of tart and all of a sudden you are putting your pinky in the air and asking the butler (hubs) to bring you a scone!

Crust

1/2 cup whole almonds, raw

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces

1 egg yolk

To prepare the crust, finely grind almonds in a food processor.  Add sugar, flour and butter; pulse until combined.  Add egg yolk and process until the dough forms a ball.  Press over the bottom and sides of a greased 11" x 1.125" tart pan or 10" spring form pan with removable bottom.  Bake in 325 degree F oven for 25 minutes until golden brown.  Let cool.

Cream Cheese Filling

6  ozs. cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. lemon zest

In a small bowl or mixer combine, cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon zest, mix until well combined.  Set aside.

Red Wine Jello

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups red wine (I used a Shiraz, use any red wine you would drink)

In a two quart saucepan, combine gelatin, sugar and wine.  Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.  Chill for about 15-20 minutes, until it starts to thicken a bit.

Also needed

2 lbs. or so red seedless grapes, washed and dried

After crust is cooled, spread the layer of cream cheese and arrange grapes on top.  Pour thickened jello over grapes and chill until completely set.  You will want to let the tart sit out for a few minutes prior to serving.

Don't forget the whipped cream;  I taste tested it for all of you, matter of fact, it was so good, I went back and tested it again for you.  

Okay, maybe it's not a cure, but it sure is worth a shot.  If all else fails drink the rest of the bottle of leftover wine!  If you want to find out more about the book, go visit my friend Christina at Teenie Cakes, she did a really great post about the books.

Enjoy,

Gina