Try this sweet treat using Ontario apples  for Valentine's. It is best served the day it is made.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen 9-inch (23 cm) deep-dish pie shell
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) butter, softened
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar (approx)
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) ground almonds
• 1 Ontario Egg
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) almond extract
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) all-purpose flour
• 3 cups (750 mL) thinly sliced peeled Ontario Apples, such as Ida Red (2 to 3 depending on size)
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) apricot jam, melted and strained

Preparation: Remove pastry shell from package and carefully remove from foil pie plate. Place in 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan with removable bottom. When thawed, about 10 minutes, prick pastry shell all over with fork and press edge of pastry into sides of pan. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool completely on wire rack.

In bowl, beat butter with sugar. Beat in ground almonds, then egg and almond extract. Stir in flour. Spread evenly in cooled tart shell. Arrange apples on top; sprinkle with 1 tbsp (15 mL) more sugar. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until apples are tender. Let cool on wire rack 15 minutes.

Remove side of pan; place tart on serving plate. Brush apricot jam over apples.

Nutritional Information: 1 Serving

• Protein: 3.0 grams
• Fat: 13.0 grams
• Carbohydrate: 28.0 grams
• Calories: 235
• Fibre: 2.0 grams

Recipe and photo courtesy of Foodland Ontario.