I'm back!
Last week was a bit hectic due to the passing of my grandmother and preparing for a new job at the same time. But I'm slowly getting a grip on things and getting ready for this new change in my life.
I also want to thank everyone for your kind words regarding the passing of my grandmother. It was so sweet to receive such beautiful messages from everyone. What a great community we have, huh?
I'm writing this as I have my morning coffee and prepare my things because I'M GOING TO WORK TODAY!
I feel like Ross in the Friends episode where he is getting married to Emily and he runs around screaming "I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY! WOO HOO! I'M GETTING MARRIED ... TODAY!" I, however, will not be leaving the room only for my best friend and sister to reveal themselves as having slept together the night before. Mainly because I don't have a sister.
Anyway.
Lately, I've been reaching for one of my many cookbooks that I never use (seriously, I have over 40 cookbooks, yet I usually only refer to 3 or 4 of them). I grabbed Dede Wilson's Unforgettable Desserts, a mouthwatering compilation of showstopping dessert recipes. A few months back, I attended a food Demo with Dede herself and the folks at Driscoll's Berries (many of Dede's desserts call for fresh fruits) and was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book. As I flipped through the pages, I couldn't wait for the spring and summer to roll around so I could take advantage of the fresh (and cheap) fruits to make the desserts. And now, fruit and vegetable carts on the street corners in Manhattan are now selling strawberries for 2 pints for $3.00, so I often feel as if I hit the jackpot each time I purchase the pints of blazingly red, ripe strawberries. Holla!
Well, this dessert is the perfect dessert to highlight these fresh, spring strawberries. Strawberries are placed in full form in a crisp, buttery tart shell, as more strawberries are cooked down to create a deliciously sweet glaze that really makes the red color pop. Pistachios, the strawberry's nutty pair, add a bit of crunch and color contrast, and a topped with a deliciously light and bubbly (from the champagne) sabayon (which I made for the first time and will make again and again because WOW is it good!). Unfortunately, I did not photograph the sabayon on the tart, as I served it at night and the camera flash is a food's worst enemy.
Make this tart. It is an absolutely show-stopper and it just screams spring.
Check out Driscoll's website for the recipe!
isn't that just stunning. can't wait for the giant driscoll berries to come this way.
Posted by: vanillasugar | April 05, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Beautiful strawberry tart! Good luck with your new job!
Posted by: 5 Star Foodie | April 05, 2010 at 10:58 AM
This tart is absolutely gorgeous! Have a great day at work!!!
Posted by: Lauryn | April 05, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Welcome back :) And wow, what a way to come back! Your strawberries look positively gorgeous. I'm drooling!
Posted by: DailyChef | April 05, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Gorgeous strawberry spring tart!
Posted by: Maria | April 05, 2010 at 02:44 PM
What a gorgeous strawberry tart! Best wishes for much success in your new job!
Posted by: Jen | April 05, 2010 at 04:08 PM
I am SO making this! Strawberries and pistachios sound awesome together! And I've never made a sabayon before either, but champagne makes it seem very elegant. Good luck at your new job, Teanna! :)
Posted by: Phyllis | April 05, 2010 at 04:17 PM
Oh tart goodness. Maybe I should make this to bring the sunshine back. It dreary out here in LA right now.
Welcome back!!!
Posted by: jenn (Bread + Butter) | April 05, 2010 at 04:20 PM
Yum, this tart looks absolutely scrumptious!! I'd like a piece right now!
Posted by: Marthe | April 05, 2010 at 05:51 PM
this is indeed an ideal spring treat! the glaze is the kicker for me--well done. :)
Posted by: grace | April 05, 2010 at 07:00 PM
Glorious looking tart, Teanna!
I'm glad to hear that you are hanging in there!
Hope today was a wonderful first day at work!
~ingrid
Posted by: ingrid | April 05, 2010 at 10:32 PM
wow, this looks amazing! I wish it were strawberry season right now.
Posted by: Taz | April 06, 2010 at 06:13 AM
YAY! I just got a tart pan and now I know what to do with it :)
Posted by: shelly (cookies and cups) | April 06, 2010 at 11:36 AM
That looks perfectly springy and delish!
Can't wait to hear more about your job.!
Posted by: Katrina | April 06, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Good luck with your job!
Posted by: Mary | April 06, 2010 at 07:19 PM
Your pictures are as adorable as usual! I love it. Good job.
Posted by: Linn @ Swedish home cooking | April 07, 2010 at 03:46 AM
Congrats on making FB's Top9! I thought the blog name looked familiar, then realized that hey, here's another TWD member! The bloggersphere is huge yet small in some ways!
All the best in your new job!
These photos are simply gorgeous! Now I've gottta go get some berries to make this wonderful tart!!
Posted by: Jencrafted | April 07, 2010 at 11:40 AM
The link did not work. Any ideas? I'd like to find it somehow, thanks.
Posted by: Lee Bee | April 07, 2010 at 05:22 PM
What a lovely tart! I wish we had some beautiful strawberries like that around here.
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | April 07, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Whoa! That is screaming SPRING! I can hear it from here! :)
Posted by: pamela | April 08, 2010 at 08:58 AM