Saturday, March 26, 2011

Fresh Strawberry Tart, and Birthdays to Celebrate!

I decided to feature this photo of my lovely fresh Strawberry Tart, before slicing it, just when it finally set... with my homemade Strawberry "thick" glaze, or coulis, or sauce, but it really is a glaze, ... not your ordinary clear glaze, because instead of a cream filling, or maybe even a curd type of filling, I chose the thick glaze, which is so easy to make. I willing to bet no one has heard of this kind of tart with a light "Nilla" Vanilla Tart Shell, instead of a Shortbread type, or a Graham Cracker type tart. I'm not really a an avid baker, but I do get enthusiastic about easy things to make that does not require a lot of work...and I don't even want to get involved in "yeast dough" unless I have to. I leave all that to my daughter. She is always making yeast all kinds of things with yeast...especially, since I gave her the brand new Bread Machine, even with the instruction from my thrift find, at Goodwill, for $9.99. Now, I'm trying to find one for myself, which is difficult, and think people are getting more interest in "dough" making...and why not? You can't beat fresh homemade bread, rolls, and pizza dough!

Enough said...had a busy week with my daughter's lovely in-law's from Italy staying here for their vacation, and loving every minute of it. They are so sweet, down to earth, and are so adventurous trying out new foods, and desserts, so this is one of the desserts that anyone who loves fresh strawberries would love. Light, not too sweet and the vanilla cookie crust is a treat, just by itself!
I've always loved fresh strawberry pie, when strawberry is in season, and just simple, with a nice crust, glaze, and served with fresh whipped cream, and of course, Strawberry Shortcakes...another yummy fresh strawberry dessert.

The way I started to make this, is not having enough time to make a fresh pie dough, and not wanting to buy frozen...I didn't have graham crackers or crumbs in my cupboard for the crust, but I just bought a huge box of Nilla Vanilla wafers from Costco's that I wanted to make a nice Banana Cream Pie with it, and ended up making this quick dessert instead. I realize the glaze takes up a pint of strawberries, just like the whole strawberry pieces, but at
$1.75 a pint, not too expensive for two.

Fresh Strawberry Tart
 my own recipe

3 - 6 cups of fresh strawberries (for topping)
2 cups fresh strawberries (for filling)
(depending how much you want to use)
3/4 cup water
grated fresh orange

juice of 1 fresh orange, (after grating)
grated fresh lemon
juice of 1 fresh lemon, (after grating)
2 Tablespoon cornstarch, or potato starch (not gelatin)
Fresh whipped cream for garnish, or to serve with

For Filling:
Mash the 2 cups of strawberries, with a potato masher, in a medium bowl. Combined the mashed strawberries, and water, in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and add the cornstarch, the juices of the lemon, and the orange, and the grated rinds. Cook until it gets to a sauce, and strawberries are cooked down, stirring constantly. This will take only a few minutes. You can add about another 1/4 cup of water if it gets too thick.

Remove from saucepan, and add the hot sauce to a blender container. Carefully blend the sauce, holding the lid down so it doesn't "fly off" and splatter.
Remove from blender. In the meantime, line the tart with the nicest whole strawberries, stems removed, in around a circle, you can overlap them if you like, (I just added single rows.)

Drizzle all the strawberry sauce over the fresh strawberries, to fill the tart, or if you like just a small amount, but in that case you will have to totally fill the crust with lots of strawberries. Let it cool down in the fridge, or if you need it fast, you can place it in the freezer for 30 minutes for the glaze to set.
You can serve this with fresh whipped cream, or decorate it with the whipped cream, piping nice rosettes on it, (which I did not have the time). It is absolutely "out of this world" light, and delicious, so perfect after a heavy meal, or just for a light dessert!

For the Crust:
2 cups of vanilla wafers ground
1/4 cup butter (1 stick) melted
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp grated orange rind

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grind the wafers in a food processor to make 2 cups. Add sugar, and grated orange, stir in the melted butter, just to moisten evenly, and press into a large non-stick tart pan, with a removable bottom.
Use a large soup spoon to press down, and not with your fingers, or hand, (so butter does not get too pressed into the crust) Also, do the same on the sides of the tart pan. Bake crust for no longer than 15 minutes, and follow the topping, and filling process.

Now, you know why you need a light dessert?...A gorgeous beef ragu (an Italian Beef Stew) cooked by Teresa, for a fabulous get-together dinner with next door BFF...of Lora's. This was our contribution, plus my dessert.
Marisa's beautiful fresh home garden kale and beans soup...our first course.
Eric... (Dr. Schnirman's) baked fish on the grill, was my choice to eat, with mixed salad. The Fish was to "die for" delicate, spicy, with freshly ground pepper, paprika, and lime juice. baked in buttery, and extra virgin olive oil, and aluminum foil lined, right on the grill. (don't remember what kind, a red fish, of some kind...lol) Amazing!
OMG...(by the way, OMG, and LOL, has just been added to the Webster's Dictionary, as official words...how about that?!)
Grilled lamb steaks...or is it chops?...at any rate, so goooood!
As you can see, the lamb is so nice and rare (sorry vegetarians, next post will be all vegan treats)...grandson Luca just working on his soup, and ate pasta...
I was not even going to try to take photo of the slice of tart, but just to show you how gorgeous the fresh sauce/glaze combo on top of the crunchy vanilla wafer/cookie crust, with the fresh whole strawberries, and the hint of the lemon/orange flavor from the grated rinds, and juice. (photo is dark, whipped cream looks sloppy)...not prepared to pose or "stage this shot"...also, not inspiring to get into Top 9 for Foodbuzz, or Foodgawker, or Stumbleupon which I will be figuring out. Just having a nice time with family, loving, and caring friends, and appreciate togetherness.
That's what life is about, caring about, each other,
 sharing, and loving FOOD!


...and enjoying a fabulous Cappucino!
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40 comments:

Mari said...

The tart looks marvelously delicious!!! lol
The photo may not be in foodbuzz or foodgawker, but it sure looks mouthwatering. Great food!

Have a great weekend Eisabeth :)

Melynda said...

Wow on that tart! Looks like a wonderful meal was enjoyed by all.

wendyweekendgourmet said...

Strawberries are abundant in Texas starting in March...I think I need to make this some of the THREE packages of berries Michael just brought home!

Krisztina konyhája said...

A blogomon vár egy kis meglepetés, ha benézel hozzám, valamint Eszter játékának keretében szeretnék küldeni „Egy jó szót”, mivel nagyon szeretem a blogodat, és sokat olvasgatom, tanulok Tőled.
http://eszterszappan.blogspot.com/2011/03/egy-jo-szo-jatek.html

Gina said...

OMG is right, you have me starving. I came over for the strawberry tart and wow, you really laid out a spread. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
-Gina-

Jay said...

Woow...absolutely stunning...Awewsome meal..
Tasty Appetite

Ron said...

Your strawberry tart looks great! I think it's time for me to get off this computer and take a snack break :-)

Chef Dennis said...

wow, what a feast you had!! I have never seen a strawberry tart made that way, what a great idea! I will definitely give that a try, and I'm with you on the crust, vanilla wafers are perfect!
That fish did look delicious too, you just can't beat a well prepared piece of fish.
thanks for sharing
Dennis

A Busy Nest said...

The tart looks great as well as all the other food!

Angie's Recipes said...

What a great feast you have prepared for them! The strawberry tart looks marvelous! You know what I love the most of all...that fish. :-)) Makes me drooooooooooooooool.

Elisabeth said...

Actually...I did not prepare all this feast, I only contributed the strawberry tart. The feast was prepared by 3 different fantastic cooks, including Lora's M-in-law, visiting from Italy!

I highly recommend the strawberry tart, after blending half of the sauce/glaze, you can stir it through a fine mesh onto the tart, but it really was not necessary...the glaze comes out nice and smooth. "strawberry heaven"

hmariek said...

First, thank you for the wonderful comments on my site! You're baked fish on here looks amazing as well. And that tart! Seems so simple and beautiful! I love strawberry season, and this is a fabulous idea for entertaining.

Pacheco Patty said...

One of my absolute favorite things to eat is perfectly ripe strawberries with cream and your strawberry pie with it's cookie crust is talking to me;-) I have to make a pie like this when our strawberries here get a little sweeter, thanks for the inspiration;-)

Michael Toa said...

What a beautiful tart! and lovin the rest of the feast too. The beef ragu on top of the pasta looks like perfection. Oh Yum! and also the baked/grilled fish and lamb.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Gesztenye receptjei és Bonbon mánia said...

Elizabeth!
Mindig olyan csodás dolgokat készítesz, csak ámulok:-)))

scrambledhenfruit said...

What a wonderful meal! Everything looks so delicious, and shared with family and friends makes it even better. Love that strawberry tart!

Heather Lynne said...

Your strawberry tart looks so yummy I'd like to jump through the screen and have a bite!

Swathi said...

Strawberry tart looks awesome love the color, it popping out computer screen. other spreads also looks wonderful. You are awesome cook.

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Elizabeth, what a lovely meal you shared with family. Everything looks fabulous! That strawberry tart just screams spring to me. I love strawberries and can't wait till I can find some that taste well enough, so I can make as lovely of a tart as yours :o) Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Bianka said...

Hű-ha micsoda finomságok

Brenda said...

Good morning Elisabeth! Vanilla wafers make excellent pie crusts, I've used them before too. Your pie looks fabulous! I can't wait until Ontario's strawberries are ready. Strawberry pie with fresh whipped cream - it doesn't get much better than that. Have a great day!

Priya said...

Ur strawberry tart looks absolutely out of the world..Wonderful meal everything looks simply irresistible..

Junia said...

wow, the tart looks beautiful!!!!

Malli said...

OMG What a beautiful tart!! Look at that gorgeous color absolutely lovely...

Patty said...

The entire dinner looks amazing...it is wonderful that you have such a wonderful family and friends...the fish...OMG...I know you had a wonderful time.

Reeni said...

The tart is stunning and delectable! I love the idea of the cookie crust. Everything looks delicious - sounds like you all had fun too!

trinity said...

Csodaszép eprek, gyönyörű torta!
Az én blogomon is vár egy kis meglepi, EGY JÓ SZÓ, tudod, amit Eszter indított.(http://eszterszappan.blogspot.com/2011/03/egy-jo-szo-jatek.html )
Fogadd tőlem is szeretettel!

Shabs said...

That tart looks so vibrant , just wowowowowow!!!

Beastie said...

ez a torta -gyönyörű - itt még várni kell az ilyen szép eprekre :)

aipi said...

What a great recipe Elisabeth- This tart truly deserves 5 stars!!!
Everything looks great n fun n glad to know you guys had a great time. Thanks for sharing those awesome photos :)

US Masala

Magic of Spice said...

Everything looks fantastic and your start is gorgeous!

Anna C said...

Elisabeth, I don't think your visitors will ever leave with meals like this....quite the spread! Save a piece of that strawberry tart for me. It looks delicious.

''Cucina di Barbara'' said...

Good Morning Elisabeth,
YOUR STRAWBERRY TART IS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
it's watering me, right now.
have a nice day, Barbara

Lizzy said...

What a feast! I love these gatherings of friends and family...and it's just icing on the cake when the food is so spectacular! I'd love some of everything...especially your fabulous pie :)

Sandra said...

I was so busy that I didn't have time to come and check your wonderful recipes...I have some catching up to do:))
This tart of yours look so beautiful and tasty! I loveeee that bright red color, make it even more delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!

Kathy said...

Wow, This tart looks fabulous! When strawberries are in season here in NJ, which seems like a long, long way off, I am going to make this tart. What a lovely meal…and so nice for you, family and friends to get together! Celebrate Good Times!!

Roxana GreenGirl said...

WOW, what a delicious feast you had. every dish looks mouthwatering and the strawberry tart, you had me down on my knees.

Christine's Pantry said...

Wow!I have never seen a strawberry tart made that way, what a great idea! I will definitely give that a try. Good job!

Karen said...

Your tart looks so good. That strawberry glaze is making my mouth water! Sounds like a wonderful family get-together...

kitchenmorph said...

i'm sure the entire crowd who walked in here for a peep stumbled out absolutely dazed...the tart is a ripper!!!

exxcellent job Elisabeth...i'm so proud of you!