TWD: Chocolate-Crunched Praline Tart

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post.

My beloved camera, my baby, my heart, my love... is in the hospital.

Yes, I have entrusted my baby with the good doctors at the Best Buy Geek Squad.

Let's rewind.  I had made a delicious dish of Korean Skirt Steak with grilled scallions that I wanted to photograph.  I placed the dish on it's "set" (AKA, a wooden TV table set by the windows in my apartment. There. You know my secret), checked my lighting, and started to photograph. Everything looked blurry. I didn't panic, but instead again reminded myself that I really need to study more about photography and camera settings to get a good picture.  I tried to adjust the focus of the camera. The lense wouldn't budge.  No worries, this happens often. I took off the lense for a moment and replaced it back on the camera. Jammed.  I started to slightly panic.  I took off the lense and pute it back again.  Nothing.

Full on panic mode set in. 

"Baby!" I called to my boyfriend, Jack.

He ran into the living room, thinking I had cut, burned, or dropped something on myself, which is not out of the ordinary.

"My lense is jammed!" 

He stared at me, blankly.  

"I can't take pictures! It doesn't work!"

"Take it in to get it fixed." He said. 

"It'll be at least two weeks to repair!" I exclaimed, feeling my heart rate rise and tears burning my eyes (I really am super dramatic). 

He looked at me, still confused, still silent. 

"It's my blog! I'll lose all of my readers! They'll never come back!"

"You'll be fine." He reassured me. "Take it in to get it fixed and it'll come back good as new.  We'll find you another camera to use in the meantime."

Thank God for Jack, because otherwise, I'd constantly run around fretting and crying and shouting.  I blame it in my background in theatre.  I need to be in touch with my emotions! It's my excuse for everything.

I took my camera to Best Buy and showed the Geek Squad the damage.  As I was talking, I placed my iPhone on the counter.  My iPhone, by the way, is completely shattered from when I dropped it on the floor in Pier 1 because I was checking Facebook as I was shopping.  

"Did you get that here, too?"  the Geek Squad-der asked.

"No." I answered sheepishly, knowing that he probably thought I was just some girl who dropped things and broke things with wreckless abandon, which wouldn't be far from the truth.

"So what's the damage?" I asked, apprehensively.

"Two weeks. Probably three." He said sympathetically.

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooo." (Really. I did say that. With that many "o"s.) 

He laughed.  "We'll call you when it's ready."

I sighed, collected my paperwork, and headed over to the Play Station "Rock Band" display, picked up a guitar, and drowned my sorrows with some kick ass guitar licks.  Maybe people were judging me - an almost 28 year old girl (woman? I refuse to admit I'm an adult) rocking out to ACDC on a Saturday afternoon, but my heart felt no shame. Just sorrow for my dearly departed camera.

So here you see the last photos taken by my camera. And unfortunately, they are not that good.  But what is that good? This tart. This tart is good.  REALLY good. Like, I've made this three times in the past month, good.  Amazing good.  

I replaced the peanuts with hazelnuts and put a ring of candied pralines around the edge of the tart by melting 75 grams of sugar with 30 mL water and pouring it over 1/3 cup hazelnuts and then pulsing it in the food processor.

This tart is rich, velvety, and so luxurious and is definitely a top 5 Dorie dessert.  If there was any dessert for my camera to go out on, this would be the one. 

Check Carla of Chocolate Moosey for the recipe.  Check TWD for more tarts.  And keep my camera in your hearts.

Comments

[Mike]

Sorry about your buddy... I lost mine a month or so ago, never to be seen again. BUT - at least you have geeks looking after yours. It looks phenomenal - and I love the "ring" around the collar... great touch!!! I also love how you can clearly see the caramel layer... hm.. how'd you do that? Fantastic job!

[Simply Life]

OH MY GOSH, that tart is amazing! I wish I could have a piece now! :)

[Amanda]

Oh I'm so sorry for your temporary loss! :) It'll be back good as new soon though, never fear :) By th way, these photos are nothing short of amazing, so nothing to worry about! Looks fabulous! I liked this, but it's so rich. I can't believe I am saying this, but I think it's too much ganache for me!

[ABowlOfMush]

This is stunning!

[Madam Chow]

I had to miss this one, but it looks and sounds fabulous. And 3 times?! No wonder you exercise a lot! ;)

[Tracy]

Haha no worries, we'll all be here when your camera gets back! Also I think the photos of your tart are lovely - looks delicious!

[steph (whisk/spoon)]

tragic...my heart hurts for you! although secretly i wish my camera would self-destruct and i would be left with no option but to get something new and fancy (but mine is of the point and shoot variety). maybe you camera just couldn't handle the awesomeness of this tart you made, and had no choice but to retire itself!

[Amy]

Believe me, your photos still look fantastic! Great idea to add the praline topping. This is one amazing tart.

[rebecca subbiah]

thanks for visiting my blog, this tart looks amazing, your camera will come back as good as new don't worry

[Michelle]

Bummer about the camera..funny story though!
Your tart looks so good and Im glad you liked it! I hope you have a great Tues. Im off to check out your pumpkin cookies!

[Lauryn]

So sorry about your camera...but I bet it will come back working better than ever! Your tart looks out of control amazing! YUMMMM!

[Spike]

The iphone camera works in a pinch..if you can keep a steady hand (which I can't). Tart looks gorgeous. Send my get well son wished to your camera!

[Kim]

You poor thing. Sorry about your camera. Hopefully they can fix it much sooner. Your tart looks amazing and I love the praline ring. Yummy.

[chocolatechic]

I remember sending my camera to the hospital...it was 2 months before it was finally working again.

Horrible time.

Your tart looks fabulous.

[The Chocolate Priestess]

I'm very glad that the camera survived for this photo because it looks delicious!

[ingrid]

Sorry about the camera! I'll pray for a speedy and inexpensive recovery for it! :)

Now you know I'm not fond of chocolate but NO WAY would I turn down a slice, er taste of it. I love the look of the pralines encircling the crust! YUM!
~ingrid

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

Sorry to hear about the camera! I hope you get it back soon! The tart looks delicious.

[Sugar B]

Your tart looks super duper awesome, girlfriend.

And uhh, I would totally freak out if my camera did that. I just bought mine last month and I have been babying it. Took a photography class last weekend, too. I still have a long way to go with apertures and shutter speeds. *sighs*

I haven't watched Dexter yet, it's on the DVR so I will get to is this week. I was still devastated by True Blood's weak-ass season finale. Oh well. I will get over it.

Have a great week and again, love that tart! YOOOWWWW!

[Mimi]

Great looking tart. I love the embellishment with the pralines; it has a sparkle that reminds me of a jeweled necklace my mother wore when I was a child.
Mimi

[grace]

not that good? i hate to rub salt in the wound, but your pictures are ASTOUNDING! your sick little camera does nice work, and so do you. :)