Thursday, August 23, 2012

Cara Orange Passion Tart


This week has been a slow week for me. Gloomy sky, rainy days set upon us. No fear! There's always CARA ORANGE PASSION TART to brighten up that one dull day. As I gaze out of my kitchen window, all I see is grey clouds, a whiff of damp breeze brushes my skin sending chills down my face and the next moment, the sound of rain drops..plop..plop..plop. What a day! Somehow, days like these tempts me to snuggle up in my bed and do nothing but catch some shut eye, and be driven far away into my dreamland.
Ahh! Lazy bones, how you get me all the time, and yes my bed, why is it that you always have a way to win me over?


However, I knew I had something to share. How can I not? As I am drafting this post half awake, dressed in one of my favourite blue wrapped dress ready to face today's work tasks and challenges set ahead, focusing and searching deep within my thoughts, while listening to Yanni's new song Voyage, my mind is still-like; what seems to be a blank paper waiting for words of wisdom to flash by. So maybe there will not be words of wisdom. The more I stare deeply into my CARA ORANGE PASSION TART photos, I am just mesmerized by the beauty of its beautiful coral orange flesh and its naturally sweet tangy juice.
This tart has everything SUMMER/AUTUMN written all over it. Firstly the taste of course, next the colour and texture of the tart. The filling is silky smooth, fluffy and has a blend of fresh Passion Fruit and Cara Orange juice which compliments one another bringing the best of both worlds. It's pale yellow-orange cream sets in the rich brown sweet pastry shell which is light, crumbly and crunchy, almost like a cookie. Doesn't this make you drool and suddenly brightens up your day? The tart is slightly tart to taste, and while this may not be your ideal tart shell; I always like having my treats to have some form of texture. Blending something silky soft with some crunch. It just makes diving in to the treat pleasurable and orgasmic if I say so myself.
To serve, I cut slices of fresh Cara Orange and plated them as what you see in my photo. As much I love sprinkles, whipped cream, and more sprinkles, I wanted to present my tart in a simple and refreshing form, letting the Cara Orange spread it's charm and catches your attention with their beautiful coral blush pulp.


Cara Orange Passion Tart
by Chic & Gorgeous Treats



*Makes 12 individual medium-large tarts
*Makes double 8 or 9 inches round tart
*Tart is best kept up to 2 days in an airtight container, and thaw 15 minutes before serving

  INGREDIENTS
Basic Sweet Tart Shell
16 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 egg yolks
Zest of 1 lemon
2 cups + 2 tablespoon all purpose flour, sifted
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cara Orange Passion Crème Légère
2 cups juice ( I used 3 cara oranges, 3 passion fruits, seeds sifted, + 6 tablespoons lemon juice)
2 1/4 tablespoons corn flour
1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons Limoncello, optional
2 large egg yolks
1 3/4  cups caster sugar
1 1/4 cups heavy cream, whipped soft peaks

          

DIRECTIONS
1. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, place butter in mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Then add powdered sugar, lemon zest and beat on medium high until it turns pale yellow and fluffy, scraping the sides occasionally. Turn the speed down to medium and add the yolks one at a time beating after each addition until well combined and batter turns smooth and glossy.

2. Add all the dry ingredients all at once, and fold in the flour with the spatula. Then mix the dough on low speed until it comes together. Prepare 2 cling films, and separate the dough into two mounds, forming each dough into 1-inch thick disks. Chill the dough in the fridge for about 2 hours or overnight.

3. Thaw dough for about 10-15 minutes at room temperature. On a dry surface, roll the dough into a 1/8 inch thick circle. Grease the tart pan with a little butter and sprinkle some flour. Line the tart pan with the dough, repeating the same process, if making individual tarts. Then, transfer the dough back to the fridge and chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 177°C and remove tart shell from the fridge. Line it with parchment paper, plain cupcake liners or coffee filter and fill each pie shell with dried beans or pie weights. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, then remove the beans and liners and transfer back to the oven and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown in colour.

4. In a medium heatproof bowl, place egg yolks, sugar, plain flour and corn flour and whisk to form a thick paste.  Add the fruit juices in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. While whisking egg and flour mixture pour the juice in a stream and continue to whisk to combine. Pour the custard mixture back into the saucepan and place back over the heat and lightly whisk constantly until the mixture comes to a boil then cook a further few minutes or coats the back of a wooden spoon. This pastry cream should be very thick. Sift pastry cream through a strainer into a bowl to remove any lumps. Press a piece of clingfilm onto the surface and refrigerate until cool.

6. To assemble, whip heavy cream until soft peaks and fold into Cara Orange Passion pastry cream, (If Cara Orange Passion pastry cream is slightly firm, whisk it lightly to help loosen the pastry cream, and lastly fold in whipped cream.) Pipe or spoon pastry cream filling into each tart shell. Add a slice of fresh orange to garnish before serving. ENJOY!

*basic sweet tart shell adapted from Kate Zuckerman






xx

31 comments:

  1. How gorgeous are these mini tarts! Love the Cara Orange Passion Crème filling! It sounds heavenly!

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    1. I hope you will enjoy them as much I did. It is slightly tart since I tend to like my citrus treats a little sour. Have a good weekend ahead!

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  2. These are making me smile right now. I kind of wish it would rain soon, I'm tired of the hot, hot, hot around here. I wish I could lay in bed all day today, I've been too busy and it's catching up to me. Have a wonderful day, why can't you live closer and share your goodies with me.
    -Gina-

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    1. I feel the same too. Who knows where my life will bring me. I don't know if I am able to live abroad on my own, although it does sounds super adventurous and tempting. I guess as long I have my piano, trusty Kitchen Aid and all my props with me, I believe I can uproot and make any home into my very own dream space. LOL. My parents will be worried now. Kekeke

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  3. Yep, and it looks like there's enough citrus in the tart to wake your senses. Very nice dish!

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    1. Indeed, it's always good to have some citrus treats lying around the house. Perfect wake me up on those dull days that creeps up on us on and off. Cheers!

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  4. They look so delicious. I had mini ones at a party long ago, but yours look far much better :)

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    1. Thanks Muna for coming over! Am happy that you think mind looks better ;). If I had more time and was not feeling lazy, I would probably attempted to make them in mini form. LOL

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  5. Beautiful tarts! They look simply luscious:) Also, you take such beautiful pictures.

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    1. Thanks Geraldine ;)! There's definitely more room for improvement.

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  6. These tarts look bright citrusy and delicious :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. They are just perfect for those mundane days.. hope all is going well and all the best catching up with studies ;). I know how that feels. xoxo

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  7. Jo, this morning as I was dressing up, I realised to my horror that my waistband was really tight. That's the result of too many goodies and here I am, losing all my resolve again after looking at those gorgeous tarts! Sigh....:)

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  8. Oh gosh! I think my family won't be too pleased either. LOL. Well, I love to bake and cook,but never got the chance to show case my cooking recipes. Who knows I might take a 180Deg turn around and start cooking more instead. But then, I can never stay away from treats. Guilty here as I don't always eat them. But I do enjoy seeing family or friends enjoying my baked goodies. Have a good weekend~

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  9. These definitely would have brightened my day too! They are gorgeous!

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  10. Oh, these would bring some sunshine on a rainy day! What gorgeous tars...and I know they taste as marvelous as they look! Have a great weekend, Jo~

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    1. Thanks Lizzy, it's my first time attempting creme legere, and it's just so fun to put a spin in making tarts. You have a good week ahead too!! xoxo

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  11. these are seriously stunning, i totally wish i had the patience and energy to make these, they sound simply amazing!

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    1. I feel the same at times too Jenn. I have mood swings, so if I don't feel like baking a whole lot, I might cheat and find easier ways to satisfy the crave. LOL.. *guilty*

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  12. I'm so glad that you've decided to share it. This pictures are so delicious. And the styling of tarts is simply beautiful. Also very nice composition of colors.

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  13. Hi there, Its always fun to see ur delish recipes. And this one is just looking amazing. I am so tempted to make it on my isle some day pretty soon. Enjoy your weekend. It is looking so good with all the lovely pictures and write up as well. I have been here after a while but enjoyed scrolling through your rest of the wonderful recipes. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thanks for sharing awesome recipes.
    Best Regards, Sonia !!!

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    1. Hi Sonia! Glad you popped over. I will be buzzing you over at your amazing blog too. Cheers~

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  14. Hi Jo, I'm commenting from Lora's, I feel like the ocean waves are going to wash me away from the beach where I live, due to the tropical storm Isaac for the last couple days. Now, I'm going to see if her computer lets me do the word verification

    Love your amazing little orange tarts, and happy that you're not squeezing the recipe right into the photo, this way we can view and print it easier...thank you, for that!

    Also noticed I need to put your blog back on my list...gone again, or my eyes playing tricks with me...wow! so many issues!
    Take care, and thinking of you...big hugggss!

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  15. Ooh these tarts look fantastic! I love the combination of flavors! Yummy. You should ship me some ; )

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    1. Hey Mr RvK! Great plan.. I would love to ship you my baked goodies. Lets do a trade off? How about you send your baked goodies too ;). So nice of you to pop over.xoxo

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  16. stunning indeed! You have been baking lots of gorgeous treats lately!

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    1. Awwe.. thanks Anh!I truly appreciate the support and hope that the cook book writing process is not taking too much of your time away from your blog. Can't wait for it to be published too. Huggsss

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  17. Oranges are the best ingredients to bake at this time of the year... never mind the gloomy days :D

    I'm always a big fan of your photography and your tarts look beautiful. Hope to have baking or cooking with us with our bake-along and Cook like a star blog hop events.

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  18. that looks just gorgeous! I love how the colours pop, and that almost yin-yang effect..just with bright orange and white hehe.

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Hey foodies! THANK YOU for leaving me with sweet comments. I hope to inspire you like how you inspire me. Cheers~