For the Crusts:
- 3/4 c. flour
- 2/3 c. yellow cornmeal
- 2/3 c. powdered sugar
- 2 tsp. grated orange zest
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 7 T. butter -- softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 c. whipping cream
- 1/2 c. fresh orange juice
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 T. grated orange zest
- 1/4 c. plus 1 T. sugar
- 2 T. Grand Marnier
- 4 oranges -- peeled, white pith removed
To make the crusts, combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add the butter, egg yolk and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, blend the mixture until coarse crumbs form. Knead the dough into a ball. (The dough will be very soft.) Pat it into the bottom and up the sides of four 4-inch-diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Press the dough into place; then trim the excess dough. Freeze for about 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the crusts with foil and fill them with dried beans or pie weights. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and beans. Bake the crusts for 10 minutes longer. Cool.
To make the filling, mix everything but the oranges in a medium bowl. Pour the filling into the cooled crusts. Bake until the custard is barely set, about 30 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes and then refrigerate until the custard is firm, about 3 hours. Cut between the membranes of the oranges with a sharp knife to release the segments. Drain them well on paper towels and arrange the orange segments on top of each tart before serving.
- Yields: 4-8 servings, depending on your appetites
- Preparation Time: about 5 hours