The Most Extraordinary French Lemon Cream Tart

The Most Extraordinary French Lemon Cream Tart
Adapted from Baking: From My Home to Yours

Makes 8 servings

1 cup sugar
Finely grated zest of 3 lemons
4 large eggs
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 4 to 5 lemons)
2 sticks plus 5 tablespoons (10-1/2 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
1 fully-baked 9-inch tart shell

Getting ready: Have an instant-read thermometer, a strainer and a blender (first choice) or food processor at hand. Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a saucepan.

Put the sugar and zest in a large heatproof bowl that can be set over the pan of simmering water. Off heat, rub the sugar and zest together between your fingers until the sugar is moist, grainy and very aromatic. Whisk in the eggs, followed by the lemon juice.

Set the bowl over the pan, and start stirring with the whisk as soon as the mixture feels tepid to the touch. You want to cook the cream until it reaches 180 degrees F. As you whisk -- and you must whisk constantly to keep the eggs from scrambling -- you’ll see that the cream will start out light and foamy, then the bubbles will get bigger, and then, as the cream is getting closer to 180 degrees F, it will start to thicken and the whisk will leave tracks. (See my blog post about getting the cream up to temperature.) Heads up at this point -- the tracks mean the cream is almost ready. Don’t stop whisking and don’t stop checking the temperature. And have patience -- depending on how much water you’ve got under the cream and how much heat you’re giving the cream, getting to temp can take as long as 10 minutes.

As soon as it reaches 180 degrees F, remove the cream from the heat and strain it into the container of a blender (or food processor); discard the zest. Let the cream rest at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until it cools to 140 degrees F, about 10 minutes.

Turn the blender to high (or turn on the food processor) and, with the machine going, add about 5 pieces of butter at a time. Scrape down the sides of the container as needed while you’re incorporating the butter. Once the butter is in, keep the machine going -- to get the perfect light, airy texture of lemon-cream dreams, you must continue to beat the cream for another 3 minutes. If your machine protests and gets a bit too hot, work in 1-minute intervals, giving the machine a little rest between beats.

Pour the cream into a container, press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface to create an airtight seal and chill the cream for at least 4 hours or overnight. When you are ready to construct the tart, just whisk the cream to loosen it and spoon it into the tart shell.

Serving: The tart should be served cold, because it is a particular pleasure to have the cold cream melt in your mouth. Fruit coulis is nice with the tart, but not necessary, ditto a little crème fraiche. I know it sounds odd to offer something as rich as crème fraiche with something as rich as this tart, but it works -- because the lemon cream is so light and so intensely citric, it doesn’t taste or feel rich, a situation that is potentially dangerous and positively delightful.

Storing: While you can make the lemon cream ahead (it will keep in the frige for 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months), once the tart is constructed, it’s best to eat it the day it is made.

© Dorie Greenspan, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006
Photographs copyright © 2006 by Alan Richardson

--Dorie Greenspan

Coconut lime cake

Cake:

* 1 cup butter
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon coconut oil
* 4 eggs
* 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 cup coconut milk

Glaze:

* 1 cup sour cream or yogurt
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 limes, zested and juicd
* 1/4 cup coconut milk
* 1 cup shredded coconut

Frosting:

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup shortening
* 4 ounces cream cheese
* 1 pound box plus 1 cup powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup coconut milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 cups shredded coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans.

In an electric mixer or using a hand beater, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add coconut oil and eggs 1 at a time. In a mixing bowl or on a sheet of parchment paper, combine flour, salt, baking soda and powder. To mixer add coconut milk and flour to creamed mixture alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 25 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool 10 minutes then unmold onto rack(s) over a sheet pan and allow to cool completely.

For Glaze: In a medium bowl combine sour cream or yogurt, sugar, lime zest and juice, coconut milk, shredded coconut.

With a bamboo skewer, poke holes in cake and spread glaze on both sides of both cakes. Cover with plastic wrap, chill until ready to frost cake.

In an electric mixer or using a hand mixer beat together the butter, shortening, and cream cheese until well blended and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar gradually at low speed. Beat in coconut milk and vanilla. Frost cake. Coat top and sides with shredded coconut.

Pesto Meatloaf Roll

1.5 pounds extra lean ground beef
3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 large egg
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (I used the ones in a jar. If you use dry ones, soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes to soften up)
3 tbsp tomato paste (I omitted it because I don't have any)

Pesto:
1 1/2 cups fresh basil
6 tbsp pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Meatloaf: Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Press into a 12x10 inch rectangle on greased aluminum foil.

Pesto: Put all ingredients into a food processor and process for 1 minute, until almost smooth.

Spread pesto onto beef. Roll up, jelly roll style, starting from the long edge. Carefully place roll, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Bake at 325F for one hour. Cut into 8 pieces and serve.

Hummus

Yield: 2 cups

3 c Garbanzo beans
-- 2 16 oz. cans
-- rinsed and drained
1/2 c Tahini
7 tb Lemon or lime juice
1/4 c Olive oil
1/4 c Tamari or soy sauce
-- preferably tamari
4 lg Garlic cloves
-- crushed or minced
1/2 ts Black pepper
1/8 To 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 Portion olive oil
(opt'l. but I wld. include)
1 Portion paprika
(opt'l. but I wld. include)
1 Portion chopped parsley
(opt'l. but I wld. include)

Put beans, tahini, lemon juice, 1/4 c. olive oil, tamari, garlic and
peppers in food processor; blend to desired smoothness. Transfer to
serving bowl.

Drizzle top with olive oil; sprinkle with paprika and parsley if
desired.

Lime is pretty awesome in this and complements the cayenne nicely.

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 tsp softened butter
2 tablespoons instant minced onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika

1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk

2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts
Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)

Remove skin from chicken. Place in baking pan, spread butter on each piece of chicken. Sprinkle onion and garlic salt, paprika. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes or until tender. Shred the chicken with a couple of forks.

In a saucepan combine carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place the chicken with carrot and peas mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Hostess-Inspired German Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cake
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup cold strong brewed coffee
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Ganache
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 pound imported semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Nut Filling
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup evaporated whole milk
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup coarsely shredded sweetened coconut (about 2 1/2 ounces)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (about 4 ounces), toasted
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Toast pecan pieces at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Keep a close watch and occasionally toss the pecans to ensure that they don't burn.

2. Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a muffin pan. In a bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, coffee, buttermilk, and vanilla.

4. Beat the coffee mixture into the dry ingredients in 2 batches with an electric mixer on low speed. Beat in the butter. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Let the cakes cool in the pan on a rack.

6. Meanwhile, make the ganache: In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil over moderately high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate.

7. Let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Transfer the ganache to a bowl and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until chilled and thickened, about 2 hours.

8. Make the nut filling: In a heavy medium saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Whisk in the evaporated milk and then the butter. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and lightly coats a spoon, about 10 minutes; do not let it boil.

9. Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut, pecans, and vanilla. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.

10. To fill the center of the cupcakes with nut filling, turn each cake upside down. Using your finger or a small spoon, carefully scoop out some of the cake to create a small hole. Gently insert the nut filling. Turn right side up.

11. Place on a cooling rack with either a pan underneath or wax paper to catch the extra ganache. If ganache is too hard, let it stand at room temperature and stir it briefly. Use a spoon to drizzle the ganache until the entire cupcake is covered. Place in a refrigerator or freezer to allow the ganache to set.

12. Top each cupcake with a dollop of nut filling. Enjoy.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Perfect Macaroni and Cheese

You can easily divide this recipe in half; use a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish if you do.

Serves 12
6 slices good-quality white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar
2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyere or 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces) grated pecorino Romano
1 pound elbow macaroni

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup pecorino Romano. Set cheese sauce aside.

4. Fill a large saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino Romano; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes; serve.