Destiny

Due to Sunday's cake tasting with Bride & Co., I had an extra pint of cardamom pastry cream mooning about, dreaming of a wedding of its own. Sharing the kitchen was a bowl of roasted cherry compote and an unbaked tart shell. 

Meanwhile there was a barbecue to attend and I was bringing dessert. Hmmmm.....what to make?

.

Roasted Cherry Tart with Cardamom Pastry Cream

9" tart shell, fully baked

1 c roasted cherry compote

a few gingersnaps, crushed fine

1 1/4 c milk

2 tsp cardamom pods, cracked

4" piece of orange peel

1" piece of vanilla bean, split and scraped

pinch of salt

3 tbl A.P. flour

3 tbl sugar

3 lg yolks

1 tbl unsalted butter, cold and cut into chunks

Make pastry cream: combine milk with the cardamom pods, orange peel, vanilla, and salt. Scald over medium heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar and flour and whisk in the eggs. Temper into the warm milk mixture and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil about 5 minutes. Whisk in the butter. Pass through a fine sieve, cover its surface with plastic wrap, and chill for at least two hour before using.

Assemble the tart: after fully baking and cooling the tart shell, cover its surface with the crushed gingersnaps (this will keep the crust from becoming soggy from the filling). Fill with chilled pastry cream and top with the compote- strained for a "neat" appearance, or with its liquid for something more sloppy 'n' luscious, best enjoyed in private. 

Comments

[Ivonne]

You see, Maura.

This is why I love you.

Because you say things like, "... I had an extra pint of cardamom cream mooning about, dreaming of a wedding of its own."

I would like to marry this tart.

[Patty]

The minute I read cardamom cream I started to salivate a little bit.

[Madeleine]

You've done it again--another mouth watering treat. I think I've gained ten pounds just by going onto your website--very dangerous for the waistline, but keep those recipes coming.

[Ann]

I wrote on here onder name that was not mine. I will not rigth on your blog ever as someone Iam not our as myself. Ann

[maura]

Ann...so it was YOU!! You were driving me nuts! Good one, you had me fooled, naughty lady.

Thanks for the note, I enjoy hearing from you...the REAL you!

[Mitzy]

I love that word "mooning," see, I told you I picked it up from you!