Frozen puff pastry that you buy in the supermarket makes these tarts especially easy to prepare. Serve them for dessert, if you wish, topped with a scoop of ice cream. Preparation time: about 45 minutes. Baking time: 18 to 20 minutes for each baking sheet. Oven temperature: 350 degrees.

FOR 12 TARTS YOU WILL NEED:

1 c. pitted prunes
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1 pkg. (17 oz.) frozen puff pastry (2 sheets)
1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
Sugar to sprinkle over tart

1. Combine prunes, lemon juice, water and sugar in small saucepan. Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until water is almost entirely evaporated and absorbed by the prunes.

2. Transfer mixture into work bowl of food processor with steel blade in place or into blender container. Process until pureed. Set aside.

3. Roll out each puff pastry sheet to about a 10 x 18 inch rectangle. Spread each sheet lengthwise with half the prune mixture.

4. Fold pastry over prune mixture. Cut each sheet into 6 pastries that are 3 inches wide. Place on greased baking sheet.

5. Mix egg and milk. Brush tops of pastries with mixture. Sprinkle with sugar.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden.

TIPS: You may use fruit jam in place of the prune mixture. Blueberry, raspberry, strawberry or peach jam are especially good.