French Apple Tart

I was chomping at the bit to make something with our newly picked apples, so I turned to my trusty friend google.  I settled on a tart recipe from The Barefoot Contessa.  It was fairly easy to make, and while I loved the apple topping, I did not like tart base.

Below is the apple version I made, which I've written out to help me remember what I liked about this recipe.  I intend to try it again, most likely on my favorite tart base.

4 Jonagold apples
3 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, small diced
1/2 cup apricot jelly
2 tablespoons water
a drop of almond extract

This recipe finally convinced me to try the mandoline that I received as a birthday gift last month.  I figured it was time I got over my fear of slicing a finger off.  No blood was shed, but unfortunately I had a hard time slicing the apples, so I ended up just cutting them with a knife...I'll have to try again, with something other than apples.