Monday, May 10, 2010

TWD: Quick classic berry tart


Fruit tarts like these often look better than they taste. You know the ones I mean, with the rock-hard crust, the flabby filling, and the fruit covered with a thick layer of gloopy glaze. I can assure you that these were nothing like that: the crust was crisp, but not too hard, the filling was smooth and creamy, and the fruit was fresh without a layer of glaze. I'd like to take all the credit, but this was a lovely recipe from Dorie. I made 3 individual tarts and shared them with some friends for dessert. They were substantial, but not a crumb was left over. Maybe that's because I only fed them soup and salad for dinner, but I doubt it! I really enjoyed these tarts. I used mango and blackberries to top the tarts, and while the fruit was neither local nor seasonal, it was good. I was tempted to top them with rhubarb, as I picked 10 pounds of it on the weekend, but I wasn't sure how my guests would feel about it. I do have some pastry cream and pastry left over though, so keep your eye on this space for the rhubarb tarts!
This week's fantastic pick was chosen by Cristine of Cooking with Christine. She'll have the recipe posted, so do pay her a visit if you want to impress your friends. Or, if you just want to be impressed, check out the Tuesdays with Dorie bakers to what sort of spin they've put on this week's recipe. I bet you'll find some chocolate, and lots of variety in the fruit toppings. 

40 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

I would have never thought to use mangos and blueberries together but it looks so beautiful! What a delicious flavour combo too.

Maybe you could use all that rhubarb to make rhubarb & strawberry tarts? :D

M. said...

love the contrasty colors....looks delicious :)

Marthe said...

Love the vibrant colours!! These were amazing!

Tadeja said...

Beautiful! Wonderful colours and contrast. And it really looks very delicious! :)

Cakelaw said...

Hi Mary, I agree - this tart was wonderful, and yours looks so pretty.

Sihan said...

I do so agree with this one... i'm so terrified of tarts that look the part but taste like a whole bunch of crap put together. Yours looks fantastic for sure!

alvarosa said...

Looking forward to the rhubarb-tarts!

P.S.: The colours of your tarts just match perfectly!

Flourchild said...

What a great combo of flavors. It sounds like everyone enjoyed them!

Paula said...

Mango sounds very interesting. What a delicious combo with the blackberries!

Nickki said...

Mango and blackberries, what a lovely combination! It looks delicious :-)

Lot-O-Choc said...

Oooh mangoes and blackberries thats a different combo b ut i bet it went really well together yumm!!

Rachel said...

fun combo! nice job!

Laurie {Simply Scratch} said...

YUM! Beautiful pics!

Cristine said...

Your tarts look gorgeous! Thanks for baking along with me!

Pamela said...

Such gorgeous color!

vibi said...

Those colors are amazing Mary! What contrast!

I thought of you while making those, as I had the idea of putting a little jam under the pastry cream... and of course, rhubarb jam came to mind! But since I had nothing as good around the house, I left it to some other time!

I have to get a hold of my mom for the red kind...

natalia said...

I love your fruit combination I'll have to try it sometimes !! Ciao !

Leslie said...

These look stunning! I love the combination of mango and blackberries.

Valérie said...

I used to detest fruit tart, because my parents nearly always got me one for my birthday when I was a kid. I never understood how they hadn't figured out by then that I was a chocolate cake kind of child!

Fortunately, I outgrew this dislike. I agree that a good fruit tart is not easy to make. This one looks fabulous, I love the colour combinations!

Anonymous said...

So colorful! I love your pictures. I bet they tasted delicious.

Hindy said...

I love the way you've draped the magoes over the tarts. Beautiful presentation!

The Mortensens said...

I really wanted to put blackberries on mine too, but I couldn't find any at the store. Mango on the other hand? What a great idea!! Looks delicious. :)

Jencrafted said...

Mango and blackberries! Now, why didn't I think of that? Fabulous colors! I wished I could try your mango-blackberry tarts. I bet they were delicious!

Anne said...

Oh wow with the mango it looks so beautiful and so yummy! Awesome job!

Anonymous said...

Your tarts are gorgeous. I'll be anxious to hear how they turn out with the rhubarb!

Teanna said...

Your photos are OUTRAGEOUS! And I LOVE that you used mangoes! Glad to know they work well in this! I tried and failed (unripe mangoes haha!) Gorgeous, gorgeous!

TeaLady said...

uuummmm!!!! Mangos. with blackberries. What a great combo. Looks very summery.

Katrina said...

Those look great and I'm sure tasted wonderful!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

beautiful--sunshine in a tart shell! i agree...bakery fruit tarts are usually letdowns. rhubarb would be great with this!

Nichicakes said...

The contrast of the blackberries on the mango is just gorgeous!

Mimi said...

Mango and blackberry, what a delicious combination.
Mimi

Jeannette said...

oh my gosh. these look fantastic!!!

jIll said...

Love the mango and blueberry combo, but dying to hear how the rhubarb comes out. Love me some rhubarb.

Heather Davis said...

Those look gorgeous Mary. Mango is such a lovely fruit. I love using it in pavlovas. I read your Drunken Cake post as well. So sorry about the interview! Sounds like the story of my life. I am always rushing around and forgetting calls I am suppose to be making. I've had work clients call me on the school run which is always embarrasing. Anyway that cake looks pretty amazing too!

Baking Addict said...

wow! love the flavour combination and colours. Great pics :)

Pam said...

Great combo and I love the colors of it! It certainly looks delicious!

tasteofbeirut said...

Just looking at these and I want to devour one or two!

Meg said...

Great looking tarts! I never would have thought of mango...will have to try it next time!

Anonymous said...

They look delicious! I love the color combo with the fruits.

mike said...

Those color contrasts are wonderful! Blackberry and mango - what a wonderful combination - so glad you enjoyed them!