Pâte Folle (French Almond Pastry) is a traditional French recipe for a classic sweet, rich, flan pastry containing ground almonds that's made in the French method of adding the liquid ingredients to a well in the flour and mixing the flour in with the fingertips. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic French version of: French Almond Pastry (Pâte Folle).
Sift together the flour and salt onto a chilled marble slab. Scoop a hollow in the centre and add the sugar, butter and water. Blend these ingredients together then gradually draw in the flour with your fingertips to form a firm but pliable paste. Wrap in a damp cloth and set aside for 30 minutes to rest then roll out to an oblong. Fold in three (ie fold the third closest to you over the remainder then fold the uncovered 1/3 towards you to cover the remainder). Bring the open edge towards you then roll out and repeat the folding and rolling process once more. Set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes before using.
This pastry is best rolled out very thinly and pricked with a fork all over to prevent blistering before use.
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