Well, that is just a list in my head. I don’t need a new year resolution when it comes to desserts. Just so long I get to gobble it all up before ringing in 2012.
This year has been a lot of hurling curses and throwing tantrums while trying to create recipes with ingredients I’ve never seen, used or tasted before.
I am so proud of myself for trying to cook/bake and eat unfamiliar palates. Not so much on cursing though.
Here are some of my favorite 2011 taste-test recipes, using unfamiliar ingredients. Well, at least to me 😀
Massaged kale topped w/ quinoa & summer delights
Did you make any recipe that has unfamiliar ingredient in it?
Now, onto the tart recipe.
My first ever tart recipe, its going down in history I tell ya. I’ve never loved archives so much before.
Kumquat & Almond Tart
Kumquats are cute little miniature orange bejewels. It’s almost difficult to slice into those cuteness — sounds silly. I know.
Ingredients:
Crust
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
- 8 to 10 tbsp icy cold water
Filling
- 1 pint kumquat
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 egg whites + 1 egg
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 heaping tbsp custard powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste/extract
Directions:
- In a food processor, pulse slivered almonds to form coarse meal (not flour).
- Add in all purpose flour, sugar, salt and almond extract. Pulse to combine.
- Add in chilled, cubed butter and pulse till pea size. Do not over pulse.
- Splash in a tablespoon of icy cold water at a time while continue pulsing. Depending on how fine the almond was pulsed earlier, you would only need 8 to 10 tbsp of icy cold water to form a dough.
- Remove dough onto a plastic wrap, form a disk and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven on 350F. Roll out tart dough to fit 9/10 inch tart pan and up to the sides. Prick dough with a fork.
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven.
- Meanwhile, heat a saucepan on medium and add heavy cream. Do not simmer, just heat the cream.
- Add sliced kumquats (with peel on), whisk and mash to release its oils, flavors and juice into the cream. Turn the heat on low. Whisk every now and then until the cream turns pale yellow.
- Turn off heat and allow to slightly cool.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, custard powder and vanilla bean paste until smooth & thickens.
- While whisking, stream in warm kumquat cream a little at a time to temper (not scramble) the eggy custard mixture.
- Whisk kumquat cream until thickens.
- Place tart pan onto a cookie sheet to avoid filling spills. Use a mesh strainer to pour filling into tart pan and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.*
- Cool tart completely on a cooling rack before refrigerating it to chill for a minimum of 4 hours before devouring!
*Note: the filling would appear slightly watery at first. Be careful not to spill when transferring tart into the oven to bake. The filling would gradually thicken while baking and during refrigeration.
We are having some friends over to ring-in 2012 and I can’t promise whether this tart would survive until they arrive — I might need a back up plan.
THANK YOU all for supporting me in my food journey. I can’t thank enough for the love, advice and encouragements received from each and every one of you whether through emails, comments, or via social media outlets.
Have fun, drink loads of bubbly (be safe), stuff yourself silly, CHEERS! to a yummy and successful eating adventures in 2012!!!
Have you crossed everything on your 2011 resolutions? Any aspirations for 2012?
Comments on this entry are closed.
That is a gorgeous tart. Here’s to a fabulous year past and an even better one to come- Happy New Year!
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Wrapping Up 2011 – Food & Favorites from the Year
Heather,
Thanks a lot sweetie — hope 2012 is treating you and the family very well 🙂
Hi Dear,
This dessert is one of my fav and seems so perfect to start the new year on a sweet note. Wish you and ur family a fabulous year and enjoy cooking appetizing delicacies. Thanks n Regards, Sonia
Sonia,
Thanks a lot sweetie — here’s hoping 2012 brings loads of sweetness, happiness and great health to you and the family 🙂
What a fabulous looking tart. I love kumquats but I’ve never cooked with them. GG
Glamorous Glutton recently posted..Tea And Vintage
GG,
Thanks sweetie — I’ve never cooked or tasted kumquats before this as well. It’s so good! Hope 2012 brings you and the family loads of happiness 🙂
I actually used quinoa for the first time in 2011… how about that?!
I love the look of your tart… so inviting… would really love a slice of that 🙂
Charles,
I am so happy that we are not the only ones to have sampled quinoa in 2011 😉
Wish the tart was transportable — make some, it’s truly very simple.
Hope 2012 brings more happiness, great health and prosperity to you and the family 🙂
This tart looks wonderful- thanks for sharing. And happy new year to you and your family!
Miri Leigh recently posted..Happy Holidays, and Away We Go!
Miri,
Thanks dear — Hope 2012 brings more happiness, great health and prosperity to you and the family 🙂
Happy New Years, Kiran! Wishing you all the best for 2012, looking forward to all the recipes you will whipping up this year :)! Thanks for sharing the recipe for this tart- sounds delightful. I’m especially intrigued about kumquats as I have never tried them in the past!
Khushboo recently posted..Ringing in 2012
Khushboo,
Happy New Years sweetie! Kumquats are delicate in citrus flavor — so the required amount of sugar is truly less in comparison to other citruses/desserts.
Hope 2012 brings more happiness, great health and prosperity to you and the family 🙂
Great looking tart Kiran! Must taste delicious too
Have a Happy New Year!
Zee recently posted..Chocolate Souffles
Zee,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the compliments 🙂
Hope 2012 brings more happiness, great health and prosperity to you and the family 🙂
This tart looks and sounds delicious! I’ve never used kumquats before, I cant wait to try them!
Cathy @ Savory Notes recently posted..Top 5 Notable Notes of 2011
Cathy,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the compliment 🙂 I am sure you would enjoy using kumquats. Do try this recipe and let me know how it tastes 🙂
Happy 2012!!
Lovely food you have done for the year 2011 and that tart is a great opening for 2012. I am also not that great in baking but its one my list for this year and sure will try this tart you have shared for a start.
Nava Krishnan recently posted..An All-Natural Mask
Nava,
Thank you! Do try this tart and let me know how it tastes! Happy 2012 🙂
Another fabulous post! I actually just posted about an unfamiliar ingredient today, it’s called achachas, not sure if you know about them? Making things with unfamiliar ingredients are so much fun!! 🙂
Happy New Year and hope to read more of your great posts this year!
Jenny @ Ichigo Shortcake recently posted..Achamango Paradise, perfect cocktail for the hot weather
Jenny,
Thanks sweetie — i’ve never heard of achachas before. Sounds intriguing. Happy 2012 🙂
I don’t do a resolutions list because I think that I would invariably fail to remember what was on it! Lovely looking tart and well done on your first from scratch! 😀
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Relaxing In Roturua, New Zealand
Lorraine,
Thanks a lot sweetie — i have the same problem with new year resolutions 😀
Happy 2012!
Super tempting tart, looks so delicious.
Wish u a happy n prosperous new year 2012.
Hemalata,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for commenting 🙂 Wishing you and your family a very Happy 2012!
Beautiful photos! That tart looks and sounds incredible. Congrats on your first tart! They’re so much less intimidating than pies.
Katie recently posted..A lemon tree, and learning new things
Katie,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the compliments! I hope to try pies soon 😀
Happy 2012!
Thank you for posting these delicious recipes
Loveforfood,
Thank you for reading and commenting! Happy 2012 my friend 🙂
the little cutie of kumquat orange has always makes me wondered how it taste like and what it smell like 🙂
Happy New Year of 2012 Kiran !
* i like the soft lighting here, very pleasant in my eyes 🙂
Ira Rodrigues recently posted..Balinese chicken sate, a guest post for My Cooking Hut
Ira,
Thanks sweetie — kumquats are so delicate in flavor yet versatile. Happy 2012 dear 🙂
You picked some great favorite dishes…that tart is stunning, Kiran! Happy New Year! xx
Caroline recently posted..pure decadence. [cinnamon & raisin bread pudding w. spiced rum sauce]
Caroline,
Thanks sweetie — these dishes used unfamiliar ingredients. That was the main reason for showcasing it 🙂
Happy 2012 🙂
congrats! this is so impressive!
Simply Life recently posted..Share Your Goodness: Win Starbucks Gift Card!
Gina,
Thanks sweetie — Happy 2012! I have loads of “blog-reading” catching up to do on my reader 🙂
I love baking tarts. Yours sounds particularly delicious.
New ingredients: capers in salt instead of the usual brined kind, yuzus, kaffir limes, sumac. I finally learned how to roast beets properly. I think it may have the first year I tried quinoa, but I can’t remember for sure.
Joyti recently posted..New Year, with Christmas Cake
Joyti,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the lovely comment 🙂 I love thai foods and i am trying my level best to look out for kaffir lime leafs. Keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
Happy 2012 sweetie 🙂
stunning tart and really your blog rocks isn’t it fun to learn new recipes love it happy new year
Rebecca recently posted..Tapioca Pudding and #Welcome2012
Rebecca,
Your comments always puts a smile on my face — thanks a lot sweetie 🙂
Happy 2012!!!
I love trying new ingredients and techniques in the kitchen. I haven’t decided on goals for 2012 yet, but I’m sure I’ll think of some as the year gets started. Your tart looks lovely! Happy New Year!
lisaiscooking recently posted..Coconut Cookie Sandwiches
Lisa,
Thanks a lot sweetie — Here’s wishing you and the family a very Happy & Healthy and Prosperous 2012 🙂
You always impress me with your ingredient choices and photos. Love the kumquat in your tarts & congrats on a first!
Marla,
Coming from you, it’s truly an honor. THANKYOUVERYMUCH 😉
Happy 2012!!!
What a beautiful tart! The presentation and photos are stunning! Happy New year Kiran. Have a great 2012.
Asmita,
Thanks sweetie — Here’s wishing you and the family, a very Happy & Prosperous 2012 🙂
Two thumbs up on this. 🙂
Christine recently posted..Italian Soup
Christine,
Thanks sweetie 🙂
Everything looks amazing! I am so glad I found your blog! Happy new year!
Sook recently posted..{Japanese} Sukiyaki
Sook,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the compliments!
Hope you and the family is having a very happy & prosperous new year 🙂
Congratulations on making the tart – and it’s stunning! Your round-up is tasty, too! It’s been a great year for you and I look forward to what’s next! I’ve handled a few ingredients that I’ve not used in the traditional ways….but mostly I had FUN!
Ann recently posted..Broccoli, Chickpea and Tomato Salad
Ann,
Thanks a lot sweetie — you are right, it’s all about having fun with new and unfamiliar ingredients 🙂
I am looking forward to reading your Disney adventure posts 🙂 Happy 2012!!!
You should be proud of challenging yourself with new ingredients. Your salad looks amazing. Great job on the tart. I’m not much of a dessert maker, so I’m always impressed when people make such beautiful treats!
Kristi Rimkus recently posted..Nothing Goes to Waste Here – Cranberry Upside Down Cake
Kristi,
I am so proud of myself, thanks sweetie — I love desserts but sometimes dread to make it 😀
Happy 2012!!!
Good for you on the tart attempt. I bet you will be hooked on making tarts now. They offer a lot of bang for the buck. They’re not too difficult to make, yet they “wow” any guest you serve them to. 😉
Carolyn Jung recently posted..Speedy Chicken Chilaquiles with Less Guilt
Carolyn,
Thanks sweetie — I am seriously hooked on tarts right now 😀
Hope you and the family is having a very Happy 2012!!
Your tart looks absolutely amazing!!! I love that you used kumquats, I never used them before, but now I want to! Tarts were one of my favourite things to bake last year.
Your photos of the tart are stunning too 😉
Jennifer (Delicieux) recently posted..Parsnip, Sage & Mascarpone Risotto
Jennifer,
Thanks dear — kumquats are so delicate and mild in flavor. Perfect for tarts 😉
Hope 2012 if off to a great start for you and the fam 🙂
What a gorgeous tart! It doesn’t look like you made it for the first time, Kiran! I have a loooooooooooooooooooooooong list of baking recipes that I want to try! =P
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Kinpira Gobo (Braised Carrot & Burdock Root)
Nami,
Thanks sweetie — I never knew tarts are simple to bake. Why it took me so long to bake tarts, I would never know 😀
Happy 2012!
Congratulations on making & baking a pie from scratch! I love doing that!
MMMMMMMM,…Your pie filling is lovely a apart too! I love it!
I wish you tons of joy, fun, good health & great food adventures in 2012!!! Kisses!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan fennel & saffron tarts served with a warm mushroom, spinach & chickpeas salad
Sophie,
Thanks sweetie — your comments always makes me smile 🙂
Hope you and the family is having a very Happy, Prosperous & Healthy 2012!!!
I planned on gaining 2 kg for 2012,… thats donne. lol The gym resolution is only left. I hadnt had kumquat in ages! Lovely idea of combining it with almonds in a tart. I am a full on tart fan! =D
unusual ingredients and uncommon ingredients… By now many unusual things have become quite usual so its hard for me to determin which sound exotic. I recommend on visiting my page, there u might see something unusual. XD
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb recently posted..[GuestPost] Curry Tempura Paneer Cheese & Sweet Chili Jam by Will
Helene,
Thanks sweetie — i would definitely visit your recipe archives for more inspiration 🙂
Hope you and the family is having a blessed 2012 🙂
Awesome! 🙂 Love it!
Iva,
Welcome to Recipebox and thanks for the compliment 🙂