“You are the creative type. We all are – even if we don’t know it yet.”
Oprah
I’m late and I’m racing. It’s World Nutella Day today, the 5th of February. Though I had 2 jars of Nutella in the larder, I kind of got the dates all wrong. A tweet from the wonderful Michelle @ Bleeding Espresso, one of the WND co-hosts, caught my eye … and she said ‘You still have time. It isn’t until tomorrow’. Sara @ Ms Adventures in Italy is the other host of this delicious event.
Tomorrow is already here, and I have battled to get this post rolling after an afternoon of baking with yummy Nutella.
Nutella is the brand name of a hazelnut flavored sweet spread registered by the Italian company Ferrero at the end of 1963. It is a tasty hazelnut spread that contains quality ingredients such as skim milk and a hint of cocoa. Nutella contains no artificial colors or preservatives.
Nutella® spread, in its earliest form, was created in the 1940s by Mr. Pietro Ferrero, a pastry maker and founder of the Ferrero company. At the time, there was very little chocolate because cocoa was in short supply due to World War II rationing. So Mr. Ferrero used hazelnuts, which are plentiful in the Piedmont region of Italy (northwest), to extend the chocolate supply.
I thought I’d just do a rectangular puff pastry tart with Nutella and strawberries, but then the inner passion took over. My sweet & spicy friend Meeta’s Monthly Mingle was on my mind. The theme – Small Bites – Soul Food for your Loved Ones, hosted this month by the lovely food blogger, Astrid @Paulchen’s Food Blog. February is Astrid’s birthday month, and she says “I’d be more than happy if you surprise me for my Birthday with lots of suggestions for a luscious and seductive Valentine’s Day Dinner”! Nutella and strawberries offer quintessential seductive pairing; serve them in crisp puff pastry hearts, and I think you’d hit bulls eye!
The morning was a race to the finish as Saturday is an early morning soccer league match for junior. We made it to the game in time, and thankfully the lads team won. I drove back, dirty soccer kleats and boy. It was laundry time again! Oh the mundanities of life. Got back to find the teen had finished all the granola and asked if I could make more. {That post is coming soon… it’s a granola that changed my life!}. ‘LATER‘, I boomed!! Nutella was the only thing on my mind.
Kebabs for lunch √. Happily polished off by the troops. Finally time for me and my Nutella. A creative streak kicked in while rolling the puff pastry, and out came heart cookie cutters. I have PLENTY of those in every size and avatar possible! Don’t even ask me why! I’m not a mushy person, and would never think of baking hearts for Mr PAB. Practical, level headed, creative and pretty stubborn am I, baking is my guilty pleasure. I baked hearts to feed the blog in honour of World Nutella Day!
I managed to make sweet little bites and tick it off my list-to-do for the day. Are you like me? Before I sleep every night, I have a list of things to do in my mind for the next day. Often it’s a fight to the finish as I try to get them ticked off before the ‘dwarves’ come home from school. And often, they find me running breathless and tired to the bone, but I almost always achieve my targets.
I ran a small heart past the mister to check if it was fine to post. He ♥’d it… crisp buttery pastry, slightly tart strawberries and luxuriant chocolate cream! “Indulgent“, he declared … and so they are! I think these are fabulous served for tea, or would make for great V Day dessert served with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream for dessert! Happy Nutella Day!
Nutella Strawberry Puff Pastry Hearts
250gm rough puff pastry
1/2 cup Nutella
100gms strawberries, slice
2 tbsp apricot glaze
Pistachios
Method:
Roll out the puff pastry to 1/4″ height. Neatly stamp out 6 3″ heart shapes. {Reroll the pastry gently if required for the 6th shape}.
Take a slightly smaller heart shaped cookie cutter and mark a border about 1/2″ inside, not cutting the pastry right through.
With a offset spatula, or butter knife, spread about 1 tbsp of Nutella over the inner heart. Top with 5-6 slices of strawberries, overlapping slightly. Brush the sides with low fat cream {or egg glaze if you like}
Heat the apricot glaze till runny. Bake at 220C for 30-40 minutes till risen and puffed up.
Remove to a cooling tray. Paint over the strawberries as soon as the tarts come out. Garnish with chopped or slivered pistachios.
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Absolutely stunning! I always feel like I’m the last to know about food holidays
Kaitlin´s last [type] ..Close – Chocolate Covered Cherries
I would like one of these for my breakfast right now Deeba – way to go to hit all the targets this month!
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite´s last [type] ..Nutella lamingtons for World Nutella Day 2011
What a busy bee you’ve been. As usual, something dainty and deliciously beautiful. Even wih so little time, you manage to take so many great pics!
Sukaina´s last [type] ..7 Desserts 7 Days- Bounty Chocolate Cupcakes With a Velvety Dark Chocolate Frosting
These are such cute little tarts! The nutella with strawberries sounds just delicious, and the pistachios look great on top. So do the macs!
lisaiscooking´s last [type] ..Apple Phyllo Tarts
Super cute and eady in no time. Happy World Nutella Day!
Nisrine | Dinners & Dreams´s last [type] ..Heirloom Grape Tomatoes with Goat Cheese and Thyme
LOVELY!! I’ve nothing made for the Nutella day but looking at ur pictures I’m inspired to atleast take photos of my favorite spread!
Prerna@IndianSimmer´s last [type] ..Not so Wordless Wednesday
It’s absolutely amazing how just a few products can make such a stunning desert!
Happy Nutella day to you too, Deeba !
Irina´s last [type] ..♥ Мъфини „Червено кадифе“
Hi this recipe is finger licking
I live in Italy in Piedmont and I I eat so much Nutella ^_^
A hug
Sonia
sunflowers8´s last [type] ..Ed ecco a voi il Contest perBene!
Very beautiful idea of hearts fillied with nutella and strawberry topped.Quite indulgent small bites.Happy Nutella Day Deeba.
Tanvi@Sinfully Spicy´s last [type] ..Strawberry-Ricotta Mousse
These look wonderful. I love the little touch of the baby macs. So cute! Perfect for February.
Sharlene´s last [type] ..Red Bean Mochi Cake
Deeba! These are just the sweetest thing. Perfect for today’s Nutella theme AND V-day coming up. I love them!
I had no idea there was a world nutella day.
Outstanding post, lovely pastry hearts.
Perfect for Valentines Day ♥
Ana Powell´s last [type] ..Cherry shortbread hearts – Corações Cherry – Corazones Cherry
Nutella is the yummiest desert ever… Its the best thing to lift my mood… i love those super cute macarons u have there…
Anu Menon´s last [type] ..Pasta delight with spinach patties!It’s been a while
A marvelous idea. Those hearts must be divine! Nutella is soooo addictive.
Cheers,
Rosa
Great combination – Strawberries & Nutella
Helena´s last [type] ..More cookies!
Oh Nutella!!! Oh Nutella!!! You can never go wrong. And what you have done here is fabulous!
Delishhh´s last [type] ..Hard Meringues
I LOVE NUTELLA!!
I’ve been that since I was child and still do!!!
Your post looks amazing and I almost didn’t realize that you made baby mac’s . How cute are those : D
yummy: )
Happy World Nutella day! I could just lick my laptop screen now
Kiran´s last [type] ..Simple Guacamole
Lovely shots Deeba. The nutella puff pastry looks absolutely divine
I never ever dreamed as a teenager while living in France that Nutella that we used to eat daily with a slice of baguette would undergo such a craze in the US!
As usual you have created a piece of art and I am in awe of your talent!
This sounds like a perfect valentine treat recipe. I definitely need to try this… they looks so pretty
Tes´s last [type] ..Thai Red Curry Paste Fried Rice
These look utterly decadent ! Can imagine Nutella, crispy puff pastry in each bite and it must be bliss! And with whipped cream.. can only imagine and envy:-).
Baking is you only guilty pleasure?? This is a thought which comes to my mind many a times Deeba… never let life’s mundane things let us NOT bake when we want to(which is every day;-)
One of the nicest executions I have seen for ‘Nutella Day’! Great job.
Murasaki Shikibu´s last [type] ..A Sweet Focaccia from Lucullian Delights
Definitely a luscious and seductive little bite! Brilliant idea! I’m looking forward to the granola now too.
BarbaraBakes´s last [type] ..Daring Bakers
Nutella rocks, and so do your heart tarts! Love the shape, and filling.
Lovely! Amazing what you can do in such a short amount of time! I too love “lists” right now a favorite song in our house is Noa’s LISTS. Unfortunately, I never seem to get to check off all the things I want to achieve!
Lael Hazan @educatedpalate´s last [type] ..Nutella Semifreddo in honor of World Nutella Day
Your puff pastry hearts are really cute, Deeba. I’m not much of a Nutella fan, but I can improvise!
I am in love with your pictures, you have such great talent
jennifurla´s last [type] ..Quick Sliders
Whoever came up with World Nutella Day deserves an extra big jar of Nutella as a reward, methinks! Love your take on this classic… and I am also loving the mini macarons that pop up all over, like a little signature now!
Honey @ honeyandsoy´s last [type] ..Macarons for Chinese New Year! Black Sesame Macarons
These looks lovely. It is prefect for v-day.
These are so beautiful, At first I missed all the little extras you’d put in these, fabulous
Anna Johnston´s last [type] ..COOKIE’S DIARY – Pt 10
LOVE these Deeba! Thank you so much for whipping something up on such short notice
Michelle | Bleeding Espresso´s last [type] ..World Nutella Day 2011- Nutella Spice Cake What To Do With an Empty Nutella Jar
I love these Deeba – they look so professional and beautiful. What a wonderful way to celebrate Nutella Day!
I hope you had a great weekend!
I like the mix of strawberries and chocolate. Interesting to hear the history of nutella too.
Arwen from Hoglet K´s last [type] ..Pfefferkuchen
Hopefully one day I will be good enough not to only make tiny macarons, but to use them as garnish!
Adele´s last [type] ..Work in Progress
Looks pretty and simple! And continuing in your heart theme! Let’s hope you don’t stop!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella´s last [type] ..Passionfruit- Basil & White Chocolate Macarons- A Macaron Masterclass With Adriano Zumbo
These are not only beautiful but I am positive very delicious! I love the puff pastry with the nutella, the savory with the sweet and the little bit of tart from the berries? YUM!
Shelby´s last [type] ..Curried Roasted Chickpeas
Good LORD… I have to stop seeing your blog till I get done with my pregnancy and FINALLY get rid of these stupid gestational sugars!!!! Can’t wait to try these out …luckily I just have a month more to go till my EDD…yippie!
Miss Stovetop´s last [type] ..Baileys Mascarpone Truffles
WOW – this is awesome!!! Looks awesome and I’m sure tasted awesome!!!
You rocked it out on World Nutella Day!
Thanks for stopping by my blog
Maria
Maria´s last [type] ..Back from vacation!
I am still a little amused that there is a World Nutella Day..:) your nutella heart is pure delight!
Shirley@kokken69´s last [type] ..Isabellas Lemon Meringue Cupcake
Is there anything you *can’t* incorporate macarons into? How tiny are those macarons! What a gorgeous dessert!
Grapefruit´s last [type] ..Nutella-Banana French Toast Strata
I love Valentine’s Day desserts, and yours looks so, so delicious! You should really consider submitting this to Recipe4Living’s Valentine’s Day Recipe Contest! You could win a GreenPan Stainless Steel Todd’s Perfect Gourmet Cook Set!
oh yum Deeba! These are right up my alley. Simple and delicious!
wow those are beautiful and sound delicious! I love the heart shape and the photography is so pretty. I’m going to have to take a cookie cutter to my puff pastry next time, the results are great!
hii Deeba, am here not only to say hullo but to wish u a Happy Valentines day by 365 with lods of love and sunshine!
Oh these are perfect for Valentines and for the heart lover in me , all year round.
Ur pics are stunning as always and creations wonderful!
Love and hugs ,
Mia.
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THese look positively delicious! I love the combination of nutella and strawberries too!
Adorable hearts
Nutella and puff pastry together – how could they be anything but delicious? Yummy!
Martha(MM)´s last [type] ..live simply live well
Those look gorgeous D. Love the mini macarons!! I made the same thing yesterday, except in a diff shape
Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes)´s last [type] ..Swedish Visiting Cake One of the easiest cakes Ive ever made!
I LOVE Nutella! Thank you for sharing these cute hearts
sound so mouthwatering!
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