Inspired- Tarty Tart Tart
Weekday nights 9 p.m. meant tuning into Masterchef Australia and watching home cooks, just as I am today, compete to win the coveted title. The cooking techniques and mind-blowing recipes allured me, and the contestants are the ones who have inspired me the most, second to my Mom.
Imagine my excitement as I saw a tart that resonated with my Asian roots as well my love for French pastry. Sashi Cheliah, the winner of Masterchef Australia S10, rolled out this decadent, buttery and flaky tart with a sweet, tangy, and aromatic pineapple jam that is jaw-clenchingly tart. Paired with a sweet, creamy coconut pastry cream, this dessert is the perfect summer delight but as indulgent in the winter, nevertheless.
We start off with the tart base, a quick rough puff with pebbles of butter that add to the snappiness of the crust. The coldest cubes of butter are mixed with the flour till there are small pearls of butter coated by flour. A splash of ice-y cold water to bring the dough together and this goes into the refrigerator to chill.
It’s Jam Time. Take the juiciest, tartest pineapple you can get your hands on and blend to a smooth, golden puree. Grab a stick of cinnamon, a star anise and fragrant pandan leaves. Into a pan go the puree and spices to reduce into a thick, tart, and sweet jam.
Take out the tart dough, roll it out into a thin sheet, and lay into a pan. Bake in a warm oven till it turns a hue of wheat. Pour in the jam and spread even. Pop back into the oven and take out when the tart has turned to a shade of golden brown. The tangy aroma of the pineapple, with whiffs of toastiness and a hum of floral pandan leaves engulf your kitchen as you open the oven door.
A cool, decadent, coconut pastry cream pairs with the tart perfectly. Coconut milk heated is thickened with egg yolks or cornstarch and is sweetened with sugar and vanilla extract. Lime zest is grated into the cream off the heat.
The time has come. A slice of tart with a gentle drizzle of cream and tall, refreshing glass of lemonade will all you need to cool off in the summer. The winter is no less worthy of this treat as you don your woollen sweater and wrap yourself in a blanket with a steaming plate of the tart and a warm dollop of cream.
Enjoy the year as you dig into a bite that is tart, spicy, sweet, creamy, buttery and crispy. Never shy away from seconds, this tart will make you want more.