Granny Smith Applesauce Tarts

FOR THE PASTRY
3/4 c Solid vegetable shortening 1 tb Sugar
1/4 c Boiling (not just hot) water 2 c All-purpose flour, sifted
1 tb Milk

Peel and core the apples; cut into thin slices, to thicker than 1/4″.
Put the apples, butter, lemon juice and honey in a heavy saucepan
with a lid. (Don’t try using a lightweight pan; you need a heavy pan
that conducts heat well.) Cover tightly; cook over high heat for 10
minutes. Uncover. Stir to break up the apples into a smooth sauce. If
necessary, keep cooking until the applesauce is completely smooth,
stirring frequently to prevent burning or sticking. Set aside to
cool. (You may cook the applesauce in advance and refrigerate. Bring
back to room temperature before serving.)

Put the shortening in a large bowl. Add the boiling water. Stir
quickly to make a smooth mixture. Stir in the milk and sugar. Add the
flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you
have used a total of 1 1/2 cup flour. After that, add flour only
until the dough clings together stiffly. Form the dough into a ball.
Flatten between sheets of wax paper, or wrap in plastic wrap and
refrigerate for at least 1 hour, to allow the dough to “relax.”

After 15 minutes before you are ready to prepare the tart shells,
remove the dough from the refrigerator. Let it soften slightly. Roll
out the dough, either on a floured surface or between sheets of wax
paper, to a thickness of 1/8″. Cut into six 4″ circles, using a
plastic lid (such as that of the shortening can) or a cardboard
template as a guide. (You may save any leftover dough, well-wrapped,
in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.)

Preheat the oven to 400’F.

Turn a standard muffin tin upside down and gently drape a circle of
dough down the muffin shape, pressing in place lightly. Repeat with
the remaining dough circles, making certain the shells don’t touch
one another (if possible, use a 12-muffin tin and skip spaces so the
tart shells don’t touch.)

Bake the shells for 12-14 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
Allow the shells to cool slightly before gently removing them from
the muffin tin to finish cooling right side up on a wire rack. (You
may prepare the tart shells one day ahead and store in a covered
container.)

At serving time, fill each shell with 1/3 cup room-temperature
applesauce. If desired, drizzle with additional honey. You also may
warm the tarts briefly in the oven – 5 minutes at 350’F. (If you’d
like to gild the lily, serve with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt or
low-fat “ice cream.”)