June 10, 2008

TWD- La Palette’s Strawberry Tart

I'm sure no one would guess this... but I LOVE strawberries. A few weeks ago I was eating some perfect strawberries and thinking, "Wouldn't a Dorie treat with strawberries be just perfect?" So when I saw that Marie (love her) had chosen La Palette's Strawberry Tart I seriously jumped out of my chair which made my husband laugh and look at me like I was crazy. He changed his mind when he ate this, though, let me tell you.

Last time I made this crust, I tried making it by hand. It didn't work at all, even though I always make my crusts by hand. I guess it's because this is more of a cookie crust instead of a flaky pie crust (see Dorie's comment). This time, I busted out my mom's awesome 1 1/2 Cup Chefmate Mini Processor and had at it. This processor is so great, let me tell you, that I'm waking up EARLY tomorrow to haul the baby down to Macy's to buy the Cuisinart 11 Cup FP that's on sale for a special early bird event. Anyways, I made three half batches of the crust and put them all together into my big pie tart (One recipe didn't cover the whole 11 inch pan). I froze the crust over night and popped it in the oven on Sunday morning. It came out perfectly and wow it smelled SO good. Sometimes I think the dough is better than the finished product and I'm a little disappointed- this time they were both amazing!

Next, I added a thin layer of strawberry preserves. I bought some at Trader Joe's that were cheap and delicious. Love that store.

It came to me that a little rebellion would be a good idea. Instead of just sticking to the jam and berries, I made a batch of Pastry Cream and smoothed it over the jam. I love Dorie's pastry cream. Wow.

Next I poured on my strawberries that I had halved and tossed in a few tablespoons of sugar (no liqueur around here). They were so shiny and delicious that I might have snitched a few.

A quick dusting of powdered sugar and this baby was beautiful and ready to go. I took her to dinner with the fam and my cousin who lived in Paris told me that it tasted just like the pastries she ate there! I was so flattered. So there you go, I never thought it would be possible to make pastries like they do in Paris (and boy, I still miss those, and it's been five years almost to the day since I left Paris) but this was pretty dang close.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Tuesdays with Dorie group's interpretation of Dorie Greenspan's La Palette's Strawberry Tart. And once again, buy the book already!

40 comments:

  1. You are great with all you make in the kitchen! I would like to be able to cook such sweets... Jelous now :)

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  2. Gotta love Trader Joes!! Wish we would get one in my area-closest one is 1 1/2 hrs away! Love the tart and yum pastry cream Good Call!

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  3. Makes me wish I had a Trader Joe's near me. Beautiful tart.

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  4. Your food processor will be totally worth it! The tart looks amazing. Pastry cream...good call!

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  5. Your tart looks beautiful! *sigh* I miss Trader Joes. Not a single one in the state of Texas...

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  6. i luv TJ's...we shop there every week. i also was a little rebellious and used a cream with my berries, it just seemed so naked without it.

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  7. I was tempted about the cream as well but I didnt. You tart looks absolutely amazing.

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  8. Looks great-I am sure the pastry cream was a great addition!

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  9. Your berries look so red and yummy! And pastry cream.. yum, good idea! Great job!

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  10. Perfect tart! Lovely. And you will find plenty of uses for your new kitchen toy, that's for sure!

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  11. Oh my lord. preserves, pastry cream and strawberries? SINFUL! Great job!
    Clara @ I♥food4thought

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  12. Your photos look amazing and I love the addition of pastry cream. I just read your favorite book list-Gone with the Wind is one of my favorite reads. I could read it daily!

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  13. Your tart looks beautiful. Crust, pastry cream and strawberries, we usually enjoy it that way too

    Ulrike from Küchenlatein

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  14. Wow Anne, this is beautiful! perfect tart! enjoy the new food processor - wish I had one too!

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  15. This looks so good! I bet it was wonderful with the pastry cream. Beautiful job!

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  16. MMmm....that tastry pastry along with jam and pastry cream and the strawberries. WOWZA! You really did the recipe proud! That looks fabulous! Well done!

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  17. love the use of pastry cream.. sounds pretty good to me!

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  18. oh i totally wanted to do pastry cream! i like that you hid the layer of jam underneath it :) looks lovely!

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  19. Pastry cream–SUCH a good addition. I've got to try that with my next tart.

    Rebecca
    http://www.ezrapoundcake.com

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  20. Oh how I miss Trader Joe's. The pastry cream was a great idea and those strawberries look perfect!

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  21. Awww, darn! I almost rebelled and put pastry cream in - but I didn't! Lucky you! Of course, I might have eaten all the cream before it made its way into the shell so it's probably better that I didn't. It looks so delicious!!!

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  22. Your pictures are great. Nice touch with the pastry cream.

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  23. I was looking forward to your post, Miss Strawberry! You delivered! Beautiful job!!

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  24. The whole idea of the pastry cream has me wondering if I should make more! yum!

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  25. This is the second version with pastry cream and I so have to make it now! Yours looks so gooood! I would have never guessed that you liked strawberries... ;)

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  26. Mmm.. your pictures are gorgeous as always. I bet the tart was delicious with pastry cream!

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  27. I wish I had a Trader Joe's as well. It seems like such a great store.

    Your tart looks lovely, absolutely lovely. The pastry cream sounds like a delicious addition. Good job! And good luck at Macy's!

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  28. Gorgeous tart! Strawberries and pastry cream...YUM!

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  29. your namesake dessert! i'll bet it's delicious with pastry cream!!

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  30. I could so have a slice right now for breakfast! Looks delish :D

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  31. wow! strawberry tart with pastry cream sounds good... yum!

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  32. I love the idea of pastry cream with this tart! Looks delicious.
    Shari@Whisk: a food blog

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  33. Beautiful pictures. Those strawberries look mouthwatering.

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  34. Your tart looks great! Love Trader Joes!!!!

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  35. wasn't this tart just incredible with Dorie's pastry cream?! great job!!

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  36. wasn't this tart just incredible with Dorie's pastry cream?! great job!!

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  37. Oh my gosh your tart looks PERFECT! The crust is exceptional!

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  38. Looks great. I thought about adding a creme as well, then didn't it. Good idea and great job being a rebel!

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  39. wow, your tart crust looks sooooo perfect! FP's are really great, i wish i had a huge one and not a teeny 3 cup one :P

    the finished tart looks so professional too

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  40. Beautiful post! I am going to write about it on my blog www.freelancebaking.blogspot.com. The tart looks delicious!

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