Kumquats are in season again ^^. And buoyed by kumquat lady, mel's enthusiasm, I couldn't resist and bought 2 tubs of kumquats late December. But before I knew it, they were getting over-ripe and I had to do something about it. That's how this open-faced jam tart (using shortcrust pastry + salted butter) came about.. ^^||
Of course, I also took the opportunity to perfect the kumquat jam in anticipation of a possible attempt at kumquat nastar rolls. And discovered that the jam is somewhat more balanced and yummier with the addition of cinnamon! Trust me on this ^^
Kumquat jam (adapted from melspantrykitchen)
Kumquats, halved and deseeded
Water
Sugar
Cinnamon powder, to taste
1. Weigh kumquats. Then weigh the same amount for water and half the amount for sugar. ie. kumquats:water:sugar ~ 200g:200g:100g
2. Boil kumquat halves, water and sugar till kumquats turn soft and glossy.
3. Remove and puree kumquat, drained of syrup.
4. Cook kumquat puree with a few pinches of cinnamon powder till nice and dry, or till jam doesn't stick to the sides of the pan.
5. Refrigerate overnight before use.
Well, that practise and mel's advice sure helped in getting the right texture and taste in my 2nd attempt in perfecting kumquat jam for making kumquat nastar rolls. I could actually roll it into rounds just like with pineapple jam.
Here's my maiden attempt at kumquat nastar rolls ~ not so nicely shaped, but the taste.. delish! And the kumquat jam/filling stayed nicely intact ^^ I'm sorry but I'm too lazy to re-write the wonderful kumquat nastar rolls recipe shared by mel@melspantrykitchen.. so hop over to mel's. ^^
And this is what you make with leftover jam ~ kumquat jam tart.. again, haha! ^^ Just use your favorite shortcrust pastry, and use salted butter for best match with kumquat jam! Because I love lots of buttery, flaky crust, I made a closed jam tart this time ~ just the way I like it! ^^
Btw, I'm serving those oddly-shaped nastar rolls for cny.. fingers crossed no one would notice how "uniquely" shaped it is! ^^
Early in the morning and Im seeing my favourite fruit in the making of different ways and how cruel this could be especially that... that.... that... .kumquat tart. I aboslutely love that. I wonder they still have kumquat selling in the supermarket anymore. Or else I will have to wait till next year.
ReplyDeleteHere, I would like to wish you and all theBig, Fat, Papa & small Piggies as well good health and a prosperous year ahead.
Have a wonderful Chinese New Year...Gong Xi, Gong Xi.
Thanks for all the encouragement, kumquat lady! MIL thot my kumquat nastar rolls to be much better n improved over last year's pineapple jam balls ^^
DeleteHope you had a good reunion dinner and gong xi fa cai!