Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A nectarine tart that turned out as gorgeous as its original photo



First let me start by saying thank you for the well wishes. They meant so much to me and I'm sure it's one of the reasons I'm feeling better.


Desserts have always been a challenge for me. I really don’t have a sweet tooth and I wouldn't consider myself much of a baker. But I’ve discovered that when you host a dinner party, people expect a dessert. So I’ve taken desserts as a challenge – something I want to learn more about. While Meakin makes a killer flaming Bananas Foster every bit as good as Brennans in New Orleans and also a fabulous crème brulee, we can't serve those at every dinner party. 


When I saw this nectarine tart on Smitten Kitchen, it looked so beautiful I knew I had to give it a try. On the plus side for me, it sounded almost foolproof. All I had to do was make a gingersnap crust in the food processor and bake it for a few minutes. While the crust was in the oven, I beat the mascarpone and cream cheese together with a few flavorings in a bowl, sliced some nectarines, which happen to be one of my favorite fruits, and voila, I had made a gorgeous tart. Much to my surprise, it looked exactly like it did on Smitten Kitchen, who adapted the recipe from Bon Appétit. It was a tremendous boost to my confidence as a dessert maker.




By the way, one of the reviewers on Epicurious/Bon Appétit won a ribbon at her county fair for the tart. She substituted peaches for the nectarines. So this recipe is definitely a winner.


The original recipe calls for crystallized ginger, but Smitten Kitchen left it out because they didn't like it. It’s strictly up to you as to whether to use it or not. I didn’t use it because I didn’t have it on hand and it was scrumptious. 


Be sure to make the tart at least two hours in advance of serving because it needs to be refrigerated.  One day in advance also works. I’m of the same school of thinking as Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. Do as much as you can in advance for a dinner party. That way, you’ll enjoy your own party.


Nectarines as well as peaches are in the market right now, so if you’re looking for a tart with wow appeal and easy too, give this a try. For the recipe, here are the links to Smitten Kitchen and Epicurious/Bon Appétit. Smitten Kitchen has great cook-along pictures, which will also boost your confidence in how easy it is to make.


Enjoy.
Sam

43 comments:

  1. wowza...!! this is peachy :) Lovely...I am surely makin this :)

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  2. It looks super delicious and Bev says hi.

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  3. So glad to hear you're feeling better! This tart looks like a masterpiece. It really does. I had to go over to the SK website so I could see for myself what consisted of the filling. Yum- mascarpone and cream cheese. Peaches and nectarines are my favorite fruit in the summer. I'll keep this one in mind if I'm lucky enough to host a party, otherwise I would probably eat the whole thing on my own ;-)

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  4. A real beauty! That tart looks divine! I prefer nectarines to peaches...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. Hi Sam - so glad you are feeling better, and I wonder if that lovely tart has something to do with it? :-)
    What a beautiful pinwheel pattern - it looks absolutely beautiful!

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  6. Absolutely beautiful looking tart. I would love to have this served to me after dinner. Glad you are feeling better.

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  7. Glad you are feelling better! That tart looks sooooo good!

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  8. Glad you're feeling better, and as for not being a baker, you sure could have fooled me.

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  9. Wow Sam, that is a stunner! Sounds delicious...and I for one, love crystallized ginger and have it on hand...hmmmm....calling my name. I'm glad you're feeling better! =)

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  10. I go to fruit all the time when I bake - I am not a consistent baker and fruit always is splashy. But I must say this is more than splashy - it's elegant and delectable and delicious. Hope you continue to do well, Sam!

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  11. Sam...welcome back in your kitchen;o)
    What a wonderfully refreshing tart you put together...not bad for a non-sweet tooth like yourself.
    BTW...when I do go to someone's home for a meal not ending with a tiny bit of sweetness...I'm truly not the happiest camper ;o) I'm glad you're so generous with the quality of your chosen dessert.

    Have yourself a fabulous week and flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  12. Your tart is gorgeous, Sam. I love the vibrant color of the nectarines against the cheese filling and cookie crust. Is there any problem with the fruit darkening if the tart is made a day ahead?

    I'm so happy to read that you are feeling better.

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  13. How beautiful! And I'm sure it's delicious -- will try it soon while the peaches are in season!

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  14. Sam,

    Glad you are feeling better. Hope it's a day to day occurence. Gorgeous job with this nectarine tart. Perfectly presented.

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  15. so pleased your feeling better this looks amazing cooking is so good to make us feel better

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  16. I am pleased you are feeling well again. Your tart is lovely to look at and I’m sure it is lovely to eat too. I thought about you tonight as I made up a recipe – I had a cauliflower and thought about stir-frying it. I used what was on hand and my husband said it was delicious. I quickly wrote what I had done so I would not forget, but I did not take any pictures. Your pictures are always so appetizing.

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  17. Beautiful tart! Thanks for the tips in making it up. I think I would perfer it without the ginger as well.

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  18. Sam this look really amazing and nice!! loe it! gloria

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  19. I'm so glad you are feeling better Sam. The tart is a work of art and you have every reason to be pleased and proud with how it turned out. I hope you continue to improve. Blessings...Mary

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  20. What a beautiful tart! I definitely need to try it. So glad you are feeling better. Penny and I were talking about you at lunch the other day. Wish you had been with us.

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  21. This one is really a show-stopper! Gorgeous! I'm glad you're feeling better. :)

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  22. I saw this recipe and thought it looked wonderful. I'm glad to hear it turned out so well. Hope you keep feeling better!

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  23. I saw this on Smitten Kitchen as well and agreed that it was well worth trying.

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  24. Woowzie wowzie whoo whoo... and I don't say that often, but that is an incredible looking dessert. Excellent in every way

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  25. Hi Sam. I left a token of appreciation of you on my blog. If you have time one of these days, feel welcome to "pick it up."

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  26. Dessert? That's a piece of art!

    Hmmmm Bananas foster, I haven't made that in a coon's age. I have to rectify that.

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  27. The tart says that you are feeling better! Great news....delicious and absolutely lovely tart!

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  28. Wow, beautiful nectarine tart, beautiful photograph. I'll have to check out the recipe, I love fruit desserts like this one, thanks for sharing:-)

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  29. Sam,
    Your nectarine tart sure looks good. I would love to have a taste right now.

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  30. That is so beautiful and seemingly simple -- makes me want to try my hand at it.

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  31. You know my special relationship w/ tarts! This is beautiful!

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  32. I love tarts. This one definitely looks like a blue ribbon winner. Stunning!

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  33. Looks wonderful and I'm sure it tastes even better;lovely.
    Rita

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  34. Hello Sam, I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better. I love the look of your nectarine tart and it sounds like even I could manage that. xv

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  35. Sam, what a beautiful tart...haven't had nectarine one yet...

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  36. Wow - nicely done. It's tough to keep up with the photography over at SK, but you sure did it. What an eye-catcher! - Gary

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  37. This is a truly stunning tart. I think you can rest those insecurities about dessert.

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  38. Oh my, this nectarine tart looks awesome and mouthwatering! Yumm.... Btw, I don't think this is too sweet. Enjoy & have a nice day.
    Cheers, kristy

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  39. I love summer vegetables but I am still iffy about summer heat :-)

    I knew someone who would not part with recipes. Like you, I could never understand that mind set.

    Your chowder with zucchini looks pretty luscious. I like it!

    I love that vegetable garden with the honor system set-up. That is a beautiful sight to a foodie.

    Hope your summer is going well.

    Velva

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  40. I just love your blog! That tart is just gorgeous - congrats on your baking success. I too am not much of a baker & it is such a rush when something of that genre turns out looking so beautiful. Cheers to you!

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  41. This tart caught my eye as I was leaving a comment tonight. Like you, I don't consider myself a baker and desserts are always a challenge. Unlike you, I adore them! This is right up my alley and going into my recipe box.

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