tarts

This week, why not invite some friends over for dinner on the patio? Serve an easy vegetarian meal inspired by the fresh produce found at the local farmers market. The menu starts with goat cheese topped with an olive-thyme mixture.

A savory tart layered with tomatoes, roasted garlic, and fontina cheese is a simple but stunning centerpiece. Instead of serving a boring salad, pair the tart with an equally exciting side: warm Summer vegetable salad with brown butter dressing. Sound scrumptious? Get the recipes when you read more

Last Summer I was seduced by Gourmet's strawberry pie, and this year the magazine enticed me with a strawberry mascarpone tart with port glaze. This scrumptious dessert is surprisingly easy to put together — especially if you make the dough (like I did) in a food processor. Although I ended up purchasing a new pan, the delightful combination of crisp buttery crust, smooth creamy filling, plump juicy berries, and thick rich sauce was worth it. The completed tart is light and only slightly sweet, making it the perfect finish to a Mother's Day celebration. If you're traveling, make each element of the tart at home and assemble upon arrival at your destination. To look at the divine recipe, read more

My sweetheart's favorite weekend mornings begin with a hearty, comforting meal. That's why, when I came across this breakfast pastry, I knew I had to make it. The tart has all the familiar trappings of breakfast (bacon, eggs, flaky pastry) married with gourmet ingredients (crème fraîche, Gruyère) and assembled in an elegant, rustic way. This morning treat was so mouthwatering that we dusted the entire thing off in a matter of minutes. To make it for yourself or a loved one, read more

Looking for the perfect appetizer to serve at Thanksgiving dinner? Look no further than this delicious mushroom and pancetta crostata. A crostata is an Italian free-form tart that's similar to a savory pie. The dough is simple to make and requires 20 minutes of chill time. The filling, a mixture of mushrooms, pancetta, thyme, and cheese is rich and luxurious.

It makes an elegant start to a party when sliced into individual portions and served with a glass of sparkling wine. If you dislike mushrooms, get creative with the crostata technique. Figs and goat cheese, grapes and ricotta, and pears and blue cheese are combinations that would make great fillings. To learn how I made it, read more

One of my favorite things about Summer is when friends occasionally stop by with a large bag of freshly picked fruit from their gardens. This past weekend, my dear friend bestowed on me a basket full of fresh plums. I could have made a pie, but I was in the mood for an easy, yet delicious crumble.
Crumbles are stewed fruit with a mixture of butter, flour, and sugar to make a crisp topping once baked. I added pistachios to the topping for extra crunch and spicy fresh ginger to the plum filling. Combine with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to make this fruity, nutty, and crunchy crumble the perfect Summer dessert. Crumbles are easily altered to suit just about any taste, so to learn how to make one, read more

With the end of Summer looming like a dark fog in the distance, I've taken to eating as much seasonal produce as I can. Topped with Summer squash, zucchini, and tomatoes, this tart is a perfect use of September's bounty.

The vegetables are roasted in the oven before being covered with puff pastry. Once the pastry is cooked, the tart is inverted, making for a fun presentation. To make the most of the warm weather while it lasts, read more