“Scenes of strawberries, across crisp farmland.”
Michael Easton
Michael Easton
It’s time for that ‘something sweet’ again, & I’m on a strawberry high. The market is quite flooded with strawberries, & I just can’t seem to get enough of this passionate berry. At the risk of flooding my blog with this fruit, I’m here once again with a strawberry something. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but there’s plenty more strawberries in the pipeline! I’ve even begun freezing a couple of bags to use after the fresh ones disappear. 
Nic sent me a real yummy bag of Belgian White Chocolate Strawberries, which we really enjoyed eating. They were part of a virtual Indian monsoon cloudburst that I had here a while ago, posted here. There have been intermittent showers after that with some balsamic chilli glaze that got left behind that she felt compelled to mail later…thank you Nic!!
I saved a couple of the delicious dried strawberries in white chocolate to show off on a blog post. I felt compelled to. I have never heard of dried strawberries, so obviously tasting them was out of question until just recently. Each bite was luscious, sweet with an endearing tang to them … & gorgeous red colour within. I thought I’d put them atop a tartlet; that tartlet had to be strawberry.
Nic sent me a real yummy bag of Belgian White Chocolate Strawberries, which we really enjoyed eating. They were part of a virtual Indian monsoon cloudburst that I had here a while ago, posted here. There have been intermittent showers after that with some balsamic chilli glaze that got left behind that she felt compelled to mail later…thank you Nic!!I saved a couple of the delicious dried strawberries in white chocolate to show off on a blog post. I felt compelled to. I have never heard of dried strawberries, so obviously tasting them was out of question until just recently. Each bite was luscious, sweet with an endearing tang to them … & gorgeous red colour within. I thought I’d put them atop a tartlet; that tartlet had to be strawberry.Just the thought of tartlets lead me to Tartlette, where else, where I had seen some stunningly pretty Raspberry Mousse Tartlets & Macaroons that Helen had posted just recently. Macaroons are something I still have to garner the courage to try after a rather frightening first try many months ago, but I bookmarked the basic pastry / sable crust. Was a simple one, though I couldn’t quite manage the sort she had made, so ended up making mine in small tartlet pans. 
For the filling, I made a vegetarian strawberry flavoured curd cheese because I am quite eggophobic; & am still trying to get myself to like eggs in a mousse dessert. Since ‘that’ still isn’t ‘happening‘, I made a curd cheese, an Indian version of quark, & flavoured it with a strawberry coulis. The coulis made the house smell like a candle shop, sweet fragrances of strawberry wafting through the whole place. I felt like I was walking in clouds. Oh, it was just a beautiful feeling!!
The tarts tasted lovely. Delicate & pretty, the layer of chocolate on the base springing a nice surprise in every bite.
STRAWBERRY CURD CHEESE TARTLETS
Inspired by Helen @ Tartlette
Sable Crust Tart Bases
Adapted from Helen’s rceipe @ Tartlette recipe here
Makes six 3-inch tartlets.
100gms butter, at room temperature
¼ cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
Makes six 3-inch tartlets.
100gms butter, at room temperature
¼ cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 to 2 tablespoons of cream, optional
50gms dark chocolate at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 to 2 tablespoons of cream, optional
50gms dark chocolate at room temperature
Method:
- Whip the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, scraping the bottom and side of the bowl in between each addition.
- Add the flour and salt and beat until the dough just starts to come together. If the dough seems too crumbly, add some cream, one tablespoon at a time.
- Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it a little to a small disk and wrap it well in plastic wrap. Refrigerate one hour before using.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Flour your work area well and start rolling the dough from the center out, lifting it from the work area every 2-3 times you roll over it. Do not be afraid to flour the work area well as you feel the dough getting warmer and softer.
- Cut out six 4 inch rounds and fit them inside six 3 inch tartlet molds pastry dough inside them, patting the dough in with your fingertips if needed.
- Place a small piece of parchment paper or foil inside the tart shells, fill with beans or pie weights and blind bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Grate chocolate over the warm bases when they come out of the oven. Let cool to room temperature.
Strawberry Coulis
200gms strawberries
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/8 cup water
Method:
Method: - Chop up the strawberries, reserving a couple for garnishing. Put them in a saucepan with 1/3 cup sugar & 1/8 cup water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes till fragrant & syrupy.
- Cool, blend with an immersion blender, strain & chill (Can be done a day in advance. It will get thicker as it chills).
Strawberry Curd Cheese
1 cup curd ( from 1 kg hung yogurt)
200ml low fat cream (25%)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Dark chocolate scrolls, dried strawberries, pistachios for garnishing 
Method:
- Whip the curd cheese well till smooth.
- Add the cream, sugar & 3/4 of the strawberry syrup with cream & whip till smooth. Taste for sweetness, increase if needed. Swirl the remaining syrup through the mixture gently.
- Pipe into tart shells, & garnish with grated chocolate, pistachio nuts & strawberries.
- Chill until ready to serve.
I am one of the 50 bloggers & chefs whose recipes have been included in the free STRAWBERRY mobile app for iPhone and iPod touch.
FREE IPHONE STRAWBERRY RECIPE APP LAUNCHES
“STRAWBERRIES” iPhone App to View and Share 50 Strawberry Recipes
from Top Food Bloggers and Chefs
Watsonville, CA (January 13, 2009) – The California Strawberry Commission today announced the availability of the free “STRAWBERRIES” mobile app for iPhone and iPod Touch users featuring more than 50 mouth-watering strawberry recipes from some of the most popular food bloggers and chefs from around the web. Individually selected for that “wow” factor, these recipes will inspire families, foodies, cooks, the health conscious and strawberry lovers everywhere to get even more creative with strawberries.iPhone and iPod touch users can now access different strawberry recipes complete with vivid food photography and step-by-step directions to create that special dish for those around you. The free app neatly categorizes recipes under Snacks & Appetizers, Breakfast, Cocktails, Main Courses, Salads and Sweets. Recipes range from traditional favorites, such as shortcakes and pies to more exotic dishes like strawberry dumplings, salsa and ceviche.Individual recipes can be shared with friends, family and online networks by simply posting the recipe to Facebook or Twitter with the click of a button. Recipes can also be emailed to anyone for viewing or printing.AvailabilityThe Strawberries app for the iPhone and iPod touch is available immediately as a free download at the Apple iTunes Store. Click here to download: http://bit.ly/8LANJo
PAB on iPhone Strawberry- Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Strawberry Mascarpone Cake, Strawberry Curd Cheese Tartlets
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Your photos are always so pretty! These tarts look divine!
I can’t wait until we get fresh strawberries around here. This is something that I definitely want to try. It just looks gorgeous!
Wow! Your pictures are just stunning! I can’t believe you are already freezing strawberries – I feel like we are just getting some good ones in!
The first pic with the tartlets and then the similar one with pista? They are worth everything ever!
beautiful, Deeba!
Beautiful! I really like the idea of using curd cheese for the filling. So rich, decadent and nutritious too. Greek yogurt is really popular and I believe it’s just hung yogurt which condenses the protein and calcium (and yumminess)content and so it’s being marketed as the healthier alternative to regular yogurt. Anyways, love the tarts
Just heavenly! Everything that u did here. Love the idea of curd cheese… I’m going back to look at your pictures again:-)
This post is wonderful – the colours are gorgeous – I can’t wait for the strawberry season to come.
Your pastry looks really crisp and golden! Glad you enjoyed the choc strawbs.
Deeba, As ever, your pictures look soooo lovely dear, I love strawberries and this look so georgeous!!! xxGloria
your pics are always so great! these tartlettes are something i can eat everyday and forgo!
I love the grey tone in the first pic. Really amazing!
Saw these on Taste Spotting! Too cute!
NAOmni
I have never heard of chocolate covered dried strawberries before although I picture them as pure heaven. Loving the tart and all the jaw-droppingly beautiful photos as well Deeba.
These are just lovely!! So pretty, and I bet they taste even better. The dried strawberries look interesting!!
I don’t like eggs in mousse desserts either – I thought I was the only one! Your tartlettes look amazing!
These tarts look delicious. And I have to say yur pictures look even better.
Strawberries have taken me over too, this season. Funny, considering I have never really liked strawberries till now!
Hmmmmmm…. looking yummy as ever….
lovely lovely lovely!!! i think i could scoop up the strawberry curd on its own and would not need anything else. Looks great!
PS: The lemon question: I am not sure i think one of the european sized lemons is probably = 2 indian sized lemons so i would double the amount.
Hugs!
Wonerful as always ! so so colourful. yummy!
Perfect for the upcoming Spring! Such joyfull pictures!
We still have to wait for the strawberry season, when it is there i am gonna try this.
Looks beautiful and yummy.
thanks for visiting my site! this looks absolutely amazing, and i’m totally sold on trying this strawberry curd
Deeb you have put me on a strawberry high now
These tartlets look absolutely amazing! Excellent recipe!
ho what a dish…ha…..
Every Thing At Your Feet
hello nice work keep up the great work..keep gooing..rockkk.. ing….
chcek out mine and how do you feal..pls..
kunthan
Deeba you’re a such a great photographer your photos are awesome-always-!!
Dried strawberries in white chocolate and those strawberries delights..colorful marvelous
Cheers!
Gera
Holy Cow.. do these ever look good. I love all the componenets in this recipe, pure genius and the taste is probably unbelievable.
Wow…the pics are stunning…the tartlets look divine.
Those are some kind of wonderful. And the pictures just beautiful. Strawberry season is here!
Your photos are good enough to EAT !
I love strawberries.
You’re an artist! Look at those wonderful pics!!!!
Just gorgeous, Deeba! Those berries look sweet and juicy. What beautiful color and texture in these photos too! Lovely tarts!!
What an absolutely lovely dessert. And your photos are always so beautiful. Makes me want to go find some fresh strawberries!
most definitely a baking passion here this is the blog for the nicest sweets here yum yum love it so inspiring. xx
That quotation so aptly describes this post
Spring is in the air… Lovely tartlets!
Oh yum! This looks just super and delicious!
I find myself saying the same things over and over about your posts – not very original but very heartfelt! Your work creating, writing and photographing these dishes is outstanding as always!
I love strawberries, and these are beautiful!
WOW, pretty tartlets Deeba. I never made this strawberry curd before. Sounds really delicious.
Cheers,
elra
The tarts are absolutely stunning, so are your pictures.
This is the first time i am messaging you eventhough I am a silent reader of your blog.Each and every photograph looks amazing and tempting…Great work….
These sound so amazingly good! Great photos!
What a wonderful post and beautiful photos! Thanks for stopping by!
They look absolutely stunning!