13 September 2009

LiveStrong with a Lemon Tart with Candied Lemons


LiveSTRONG with a Taste of Yellow is a yearly event created by Barbara of Winos and Foodies . She describes this event as her "way of supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation by raising awareness of cancer issues world wide. It is a way for all food and wine bloggers to share their stories. The happy and the sad, the struggles and the triumphs." I don't think there is anyone among us who has not been touched by cancer in some way, whether it be a friend or afamily member, a co-worker or a neighbour. Raising awareness for cancer research as well as early detection to help save lives are something to shout out to the rooftops about today and always.

Lemon Tart with Candied Lemons
LiveSTRONG Day 2009 was moved to October 2nd to coincide with the date Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago. Since his recovery from cancer he has gone on to win the Tour De France seven times.

LiveSTRONG With A Taste Of Yellow is Barbara's way of supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation by raising awareness of cancer issues world wide. Last year I sent over Lemony Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Rouladen so this year opted for something sweet. Look for the roundup on October 2nd.

My foodie obsession would be lemon rather than chocolate. No matter whether it is sweet or savoury I am always tempted to surrender to the enticing texture of a lemon custard filling or a creamy avgolemono. This tarts uncomplicated ingredients are as enticing as how uncomplicated it is to prepare. This tart is based on a recipe I found from Mission Hill Winery chefs in the Okanagan. I topped it with the most delicious and simple to prepare candied lemons for that special touch.

**Lemon Tart with Candied Lemons*

Short Pastry

1 cup butter
¾ cup fine granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla essence
2 cups flour
pinch of salt

Filling

9 eggs
1¾ cups fine granulated sugar
5 lemons (zest of 2, juice of all 5)
1 cup cream

To make Short Pastry:
Beat together butter, salt and sugar until smooth with a hand mixer. Add eggs one at a time and continue to beat. Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds into butter & egg mixture. Slowly add flour until incorporated. Dough should look and feel smooth. Form in to a flattened ball shape and wrap in plastic and set aside.

To prepare Filling: Whisk together eggs, sugar and lemon zest. Stir in lemon juice, then cream. Strain through a fine sieve and set aside.

Press dough into tart tin to make a 1/8-inch thick crust. Cover the dough with greaseproof paper and fill with uncooked rice or beans then put into fridge for 20 minutes to chill. Remove from fridge and place in a 350° oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and discard the paper and rice. Put the shell back into oven and continue to bake until golden.

Turn oven down to 250°. Brush shell with a little beaten egg and bake for 3 minutes to set. Carefully pour in the lemon custard to completely fill shell and bake for 40 minutes. Edges will be set while the centre will look like jelly when the pan is moved. Place in fridge and chill well.

Candied Lemon Slices

1 cup granulated sugar
2 large lemons, cut into 1/8-inch thick slices

In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar with 1 cup water.

Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Add the lemon slices. Cover and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes or until the peel is slightly translucent. Remove from the heat and let the lemon slices cool in the syrup. Remove lemon slices and let dry for hours or bake at 200F just to dry up the syrup. Save syrup for cocktails or iced tea.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

22 comments:

  1. A wonderful entry! Your tart looks magnificent!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. lemon tart Vall, really nice, I love lemon too!! gloria

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  3. I love lemons in any way, shape or form. This sounds like a terrific event, too!

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  4. I need to have a lemon day sometime soon - I need to dry some lemon peels, and I think candy-ing some lemon would also be a pretty good idea.

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  5. this is quite possibly the best event in all of food blog land, and your entry is magnificent. the candied lemons are an especially fine touch. :)

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  6. Now I'm really craving Lemon Tart. This looks fabulous. Thank you for your support. Bellini Valli

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  7. Oh my goodness. I'm such a sucker for lemon tarts and haven't made one in quite a while. Quite the perfect dessert to celebrate and support such an important cause. I need to get my act together!

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  8. I love lemon...anything. But even more so in a dessert! YUM.

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  9. This looks so summery delicious. Wish I had a bite!

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  10. What a beautiful dessert Val. So nice of you to write about LiveSTRONG. My uncle is dying of cancer in Québec and I will not have a chance to say goodbye. That hurts. Big Hugs, Hélène :)

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  11. Great entry Val, is nice to alert people about this awful disease. I love citrus flavor , the tart looks amazing and perfect for the post

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  12. Val,
    What a wonderful event you support. Cancer has touched all of us in one way or another. I agree with you ,I'll take any lemon dessert over chocolate. Your tart looks wonderful and I love the crust.

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  13. Delcious. While nothing will ever supplant chocolate in my heart, I do love a perfect lemon desserts. I love lemon pies and lemon cakes and lemon bars.

    Good for you for your cancer support. I did the ACS Relay for Life earlier this summer. I think of it as one of the most important things I've done this year.

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  14. I love lemon tarts...maybe one of my favorite desserts, EVER. This looks beautiful too!

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  15. i could eat this in my sleep! for some reason it reminded me of lemon cookies we used to eat as children. love it!

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  16. Looks very delicious Val...
    As you said every one is touched by the cancer in one way or another.... Great dessert to share. I also love the lemon/citrus flavours and i try to include them as much as I can in my cooking.

    I have something for you in my blog. Check it out..

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  17. This looks delicious and beautiful, Val. I used to shy away from lemon desserts but now I absolutely love them! I'll keep the chocolate, too, though. :)

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  18. Delicious. Scrumptious. Look how beautiful your tart looks!
    I admire how dedicated you are to blogging events and causes.

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  19. Great tart Val, I adore those candied lemons!

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  20. What a great entry Val. This cause is so worth it and strikes too close to home for way too many people. Lots of strength going to Barb at Winos and Foodies and good on her for sponsoring this event.

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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