Such a delicious dessert to please just about anyone
Whisk the yolk and the cream in a bowl
Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a mixer, add butter-don't over mix
Add the cream mixture and mix till dough comes together- refrigerate for 15 minutes
Grease and flour a 10 inch pan- roll out the dough and press into pan- chill pan for atleast 30 minutes
Bring Half and half to a simmer in a small sauce pan
In a small bowl whisk 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg and flour together
Slowly temper the egg mixture with the simmered half and half-meaning add a bit of warm half and half a little at a time- about 3 times, then return mixture to heat and mix till it thickens and comes to a boil- about 3-5 mins-transfer back to small bowl and stir in the vanilla- set bowl to cool on an ice bath or in the freezer
Add in butter and remaining 1/3 cup of the sugar to the mixer and beat until smooth and pale like. Mix in remaining 2 eggs on at a time. Gradually beat in the almonds and 2/3 cup sugar
Beat in the cooled pastry cream
Chill and cover for at least 4 hours or overnight-my sister managed to do it for only 2 hours
Preheat oven to 375F
Spread the filling over the crust and arrange the 1/2 cut figs ina circular design on top of the filling. I pushed them in a bit.
Bake for an hour or until center is golden and set-meaning not much giggle. I made the mistake of using a deep dish-so it took forever and I had to lower the oven and foil the top to not brown too much.