Here it is. Finally. My Parisian Apple Tartlet.
The suspense is over. You can all breathe a sigh of relief now. And then grab a tissue for my sob story.
I had such big plans for this one. Jessican of My Baking Heart chose Dorie's Parisian Apple Tartlet (click for recipe). I was going to "tempura" the apple slices and serve this with a dipping sauce. But my plans got derailed. And I am going to tell you why.
This Tuesday, we had our friends Chelsea and Chris over for our weekly dinner party. As usual, they brought their adorable son, Kip, and this time, we had a special guest - Chelsea's sister. So I wanted to make a big meal - something fun, different, summery... you get the point.
Well, it was a disaster. Problem one: I bit off more than I could chew. I decided to make an appetizer, an entree, and two desserts, all of which needed the oven. I had two hours to cook. Problem 2: I was experimenting with a cuisine I am not all too familiar with - Southern. Problem 3: I wanted to make David Lebovitz's Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream to go with Dorie's apple tartlet. I forgot to freeze my ice cream canister.
Disaster all around.
The biggest disappointment? I wasn't crazy about this tart. This was the one thing I was holding out for. But to me, it was kind of plain. So I obviously did something wrong, because everyone else loved it. And it couldn't have been any easier. Cut apples. Place apples on puff pastry. Add butter (of course). Add sugar. Bake.
HELLO!?!? What is wrong with me?
I did end up making the ice cream the next day and paired it with another pastry and I will say, it was MUCH better. But this ice cream would make even brussel sprouts better.
Later, I read a quote from Top Chef Winner Hosea in July's issue of Food & Wine magazine: A dinner party is not the time for experimentation. Cook what you know.
Thanks.
I think I need to go back into my pantry closet.
Check out TWD for more of this tart done the right way!
Oh no! So sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted... it looks fab, though!! Especially with that yummy ice cream! :) Thanks for baking with me this week!!
Posted by: Hornedfroggy of My Baking Heart | June 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Don't worry, we all have those moments. I'm sorry the tart wasn't what you expected however your photo looks appealing! There's always next time, right?
Posted by: Nicole | June 11, 2009 at 01:05 PM
It looks beautiful! Everyone's tastes are different, so sometimes I will not be impressed with a dish that tons of other people love.
I know exactly what you mean about experimenting for dinner parties - I, too, have a habit of picking very ambitious menus when we are having company.
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | June 11, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Awww, we've heard that rule and always break it. Cook what you know...we'll try to remember that next time we're freaking in the kitchen. :) But everyone loved it, so you're fiiiiiine. The ice cream looks parfait!
Posted by: The Duo Dishes | June 11, 2009 at 01:22 PM
That's definitely happened to all of us I think. Every time I host a food event at my house I try new recipes and inevitably screw at least one up. When will I learn?
Your tartlet looks great and that ice cream sounds awesome!!
Posted by: Tracey | June 11, 2009 at 02:00 PM
No need to fret. It looks gorgeous. Sometimes thing don't turn out the way they're supposed to. But I'm glad the next one came out alright. See things turn around.
Posted by: jenn | June 11, 2009 at 02:41 PM
It sounds like your Tuesday was pretty crazy! The tartlets were kind of plain, but I was ok with that. Ice cream on the side would definitely be the way to go for this one.
Posted by: Jill | June 11, 2009 at 02:50 PM
I'm so sorry this turned out to be a disaster! ...and that you didn't like the tartlets. Perhpas the choice of apple? or of sugar (brown is much better in my opinion!).
Nevertheless it looks very pretty and totaly tasty!
LOL I have learnt a loooooong time ago, never to test new recipes on guests! Oh! NO! LOL ...the nightmares I've been through too! LOL I laugh now, but it wasen't pretty when it happened!
Posted by: Vibi | June 11, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Sorry this was a disappointment for you! Not everyone who made the apple was thrilled with it. I made peach and raspberry and they were outrageous. I think you'd love this one if you tricked it up a bit (check out Liz at Cake or Death) and if you did it when you weren't having issues with the rest of the meal. Or you can go back to Dorie's chocolate tart which is one of my top three of all time.
Posted by: Leslie | June 11, 2009 at 03:55 PM
The tarts can benefit from some cinnamon or something, but I think everyone just really loved how simple it was.
I SOOO have that same habit, planning meals and entertaining that I just can't get done all on my own, but want to! I just need a taste of that ice cream, K!
Posted by: Katrina | June 11, 2009 at 05:35 PM
I am sorry that did not come as you expected, but looks alright to me :-) at least the apple tart. Looks delicious with the ice cream.
Posted by: Juliana | June 11, 2009 at 06:56 PM
It looks lovely, but I'm sorry it was a let down for you. Now that ice cream is something I REALLY have to try, though!
Posted by: pamela | June 11, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Bummer! It does look lovely though. And the ice cream is to die for!
Posted by: Jules | June 11, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Well it looks wonderful to me! I find myself doing the same thing at dinner parties: biting of more than i can chew and experimenting. I like that quote... I need to remember that!
That icecream looks heavenly! mmmmmmm!
Posted by: Sabrina | June 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Mmm both the tart and ice cream look delicious! Sorry to hear you didn't like the tart though. I definitely need to learn not to experiment with new things at dinner parties!! I do that all the time and spend much time stressing about how it will turn out.
Posted by: Ashley | June 12, 2009 at 02:23 AM
I think the tart looks wonderful! It's weird because for some reason when I bring stuff to parties, that is when I decide to try something new.
Posted by: Steph | June 12, 2009 at 07:33 AM
It's not easy to make a new recipe for a dinner party but I'm sure the tart was excellent if everyone loved it. But I totally understand how you feel. I've had situations where everyone loved the dish but it just wasn't exactly what I wanted it to be. So then even if it is good, I felt kind of disappointed.
Posted by: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie | June 12, 2009 at 10:18 AM
The icecream looks and sounds devine! Sorry that the tart wasn't your thing - that's OK, because we all like different stuff.
Posted by: Cakelaw | June 13, 2009 at 03:12 AM
Well, it all looks really great! Especially that ice cream. I know a lot of people added more sugar (me included) so maybe that would have helped.
Posted by: Holly | June 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Uh,oh! Sorry about the mishaps! At least you got that all out of your system. Now it will be smooth sailings for the next few months!
~ingrid
Posted by: ingrid | June 13, 2009 at 12:47 PM