Tuesday, May 12, 2009

TWD: Tartest Lemon Tart




So, I have to admit, I wasn't very excited about this week's recipe for Tuesdays with Dorie for the Tartest Lemon Tart. I have never made anything using the entire lemon and wasn't entirely sure I was interested. I love lemon, I love almonds, so really, what was my problem? I don't know why this weirded me out so much. I've used whole citrus before after all. It did though. I just couldn't envision this very well. I don't know why.




When I finally read through the entire recipe, I had to really laugh at myself, and once again realize that this baking group is so good for me. It gets me to try things I may have avoided otherwise.



I laughed because I realized that this recipe was an awful lot like the Toasted Almond Lemon Bars we made last month when I guest hosted the Cookie Carnival. Shortbread-like crust with ground almonds in it, lemon filling, powdered sugar on top. Why was I so afraid of this? I have to also admit now that I will make these again as they taste like delightful lemon bars and the filling was so easy to make and the texture wasn't anything like I expected since it was smooth and tart. I also loved the addition of doing a burnt sugar top as Dorie suggests.


So, thank you to this week's hostess, Babette of Babette Feasts!



BLOGGING FOR BABIES REMINDER!!


There are still a few more days to blog about and make something for the Blogging for Babies event. As I mentioned in the original post (all the details here if you want to enter) I was trying to put together a couple of prizes for a drawing from the entries. Thank you to those who have already sent me something to participate. I really appreciate it!


Here is Prize Package Number One:


The Art & Soul of Baking book, a pretty glass jar (we all need new blog props, right!) and a couple of darling little 'pretend' cherry muffins - they are fake so they can sit in your kitchen and look pretty all the time.




And Prize Package Number 2:


A copy of Hello Cupcake! and a ceramic cupcake bank - that's right, it is a 'piggy' bank in the shape of a cupcake!


THE END OF THE EVENT IS THIS COMING SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009!
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27 comments:

  1. ManggyMay 12, 2009 at 1:28 AM

    I'm glad these events help you to move out of your comfort zone. And what a delicious discovery it's been! Looks lovely, Holly :)

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  2. AmandaMay 12, 2009 at 6:48 AM

    Mine bubbled over like a volcano, but it turned out fine after some doctoring :) A little bitter, but I don't think my lemons were of the best quality. DELICIOUS dough!

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  3. Sweet as CocoMay 12, 2009 at 7:12 AM

    Glad you liked this as well! I thought it was like a lemon bar too! So good!

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  4. AnonymousMay 12, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    I bet the burnt sugar top was a great compliment to the lemon!

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  5. KaraMay 12, 2009 at 8:20 AM

    H was weirded out by the whole lemon thing too, but wound up loving this. I think I might try the sugar crust next time. This time I just dusted powdered sugar all over everything. (And I do mean everything!) :)

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  6. chocolatechicMay 12, 2009 at 8:26 AM

    Love the brulee on top.

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  7. TeannaMay 12, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    So glad you ended up liking it! The burnt sugar top looks amazing!

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  8. LaDue & CrewMay 12, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    I'm on a lemon kick lately. I just bought everything to make the last you made, the toasted almond lemon bars. So first, those, then these, because this looks so yummy and elegant! Tarts always look pretty!~

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  9. PamelaMay 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    Your tart looks tempting and fabulous. Great job.

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  10. Soy*BabyMay 12, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    Looks delicious. I thought they were a fancy lemon bar too. Glad you decided to make it.

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  11. CristineMay 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    That's funny... I posted the same thing about the similarity between this tart and the CC lemon bars! :) Your tart looks great! Glad you gave it a try!

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  12. KatrinaMay 12, 2009 at 12:23 PM

    Loved this tart! Yours looks great with the brulee sugar topping.

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  13. Fit ChickMay 12, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    Your tart looks delicious!!! I agree with you, trying a recipe you might otherwise pass up, pushes you out of the comfort zone; I like being outside the zone.

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  14. HindyMay 12, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    Your tart looks lovely! TWD takes me out of my comfort zone almost every week. Glad you enjoyed.

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  15. AnonymousMay 12, 2009 at 3:05 PM

    Your tart looks wonderful! I'm glad you ended up liking it.

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  16. UnknownMay 12, 2009 at 8:34 PM

    I was afraid of this recipe too. I'm glad it turned out well for you. Mine was too bitter to enjoy. Love your photos!

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  17. margotMay 12, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    Oh, I'm so excited to see one with the brulee top; I was going to do that, but I was in a big rush out the door on Monday. Yours looks fantastic!

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  18. steph- whisk/spoonMay 13, 2009 at 5:59 AM

    looks great--the bruleed top really makes it special!

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  19. doughmessticMay 13, 2009 at 10:14 AM

    Hey Holly! I felt the exact same way about this tart! TWD has been great for me, too - I feel I have learned so much!

    Now - the event. Can I enter macarons? They are little baby Lemon Pies, kinda sorta! I will be posting them tomorrow and would be happy to link them to your event if they are okay!

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  20. JaimeMay 13, 2009 at 8:43 PM

    i was thinking these might taste like lemon bars! they look fantastic!

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  21. vibiMay 13, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    I'm glad you ended up enjoying it... and finally realized that nothing was scary about the tart! LOL On the other hand, I shouldn't sound sooo affirmative, for I myself, chickened out and supremed the lemons after zesting them! LOL I just couldn't bare finding out tartiness being too close to bitterness. lol
    Lovely pie, nice results on the finish! Bravo!

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  22. ShariMay 14, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    Glad you enjoyed it once you made the decision to step out and give it a try! :) The results look amazing. Nice job of the Brulee on top too!!

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  23. EvaMay 15, 2009 at 2:46 AM

    that looks wonderful. i wish it were in my kitchen right now.

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  24. UnknownMay 15, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    You are my soul mate. I was meant to find you so that you can bake for me and my hubbs. =) We love to bakery shop, and go daily for baked goods.
    All of this looks so delicious...no wonder why I don't lose weight, it would be impossible to eat all of this goodness.

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  25. Jules SomeoneMay 16, 2009 at 1:10 PM

    Your tart looks amazing. We really liked it here as well.

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  26. LillianMay 17, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    Love that bruleed top -- I have got to get a blowtorch one of these days. Your tart looks great!

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  27. TeaLadyMay 25, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    I was unusual to use the entire lemon, but very tasty. Love the torched top.

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Will bake for comments. Seriously. Thanks for stopping by!