Fresh Fig Tart

CRUST: Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla. Add lfour and mix until well com- bined. Shape dough into ball and flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead, soften slightly before rolling out.) FILLING: Combine half-and-half and honey in heavy medium saucepan; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium high heat. Remove from heat; remove bean. Whish sugar, cornstarch, egg and egg yolk in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in hot half and half mixture. Return mixture to pan and whisk over medium heat until custard boils and thickens, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Refrigerate until cooled to room temperature, whicking occasionally. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate). Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350F. Lightly butter 9 inch diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 13 inch round. Transfer to prepared pan. Trim edges. Pierce bottom of crust lightly with fork. chill 20 minutes. Bake until light golden, approx 25 minutes. Transfer crust to rack;cool completely. Cut enough figs into small wedges to measure 1 generous cup. Fold fig pieces into filling. Spread filling evenly in prepared crust. Cut re- maining figs in half lengthwise. Arrange fig halves in concentric circles atop filling, pointed ends toward center,covering filling completely. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours. Cut tart into wedges. Origin: Bon Appetit, Favorite Restaurant Recipes Shared by: Sharon Stevens