warm cherry-almond tart
our wrap around porch on our 200 year old stone and clapboard home
Homemade chocolate marshmallow cream milkshakes
setting up for treats on the front porch
heavenly dessert
a fun weekend
a collection of dishes and pottery
Don’t you just love Memorial Day??!! It is the grand dame of summer parties, the kickoff to the start of summer. Its all American , its all about picnics ,barbecues, pies, parties and family. Most importantly its a day to remember all those who have served our great country and honor their sacrifices. We will certainly do that throughtout the day today and at 3pm for a moment of silence.
When I was a little girl growing up in rural upstate New York we spent many days and summer holidays on picnics on the Battenkill river in Vermont, where we would eat and fish all day, they were simple lovely times. When you drive through upstate NY and through nearby Vermont everyone proudly flies a flag outside of their homes and many have beautiful flag banners adorning their clapboard farmhouses. We carry on this tradition outside our old farmhouse. I now live in the country about 1 hour outside Manhatten and I try to continue these traditions with my children.
Gather your family, make some delicious food and get outdoors and rejoice in all the beauty of our great country.
WARM CHERRY-ALMOND TART
even better , Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each serving.
8 servings
CRUST
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons (or more) ice water
FILLING
1 pound fresh sweet cherries, pitted, cherries left whole
6 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup whipping cream
3 large egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
1 1/4 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon of finely grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup slice almonds
FOR CRUST:
Place flour, shortening, butter,sugar,and salt in processor. Using on/off turns,process until coarse meal forms. Sprinkle flour mixture with 2 tablespoons ice water. Using on/off turns,process just until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfulls if needed. Form dough into ball and flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour. (Tart crust dough can be made 1 day ahead . Keep refrigerated.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer dough to 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Fold in excess dough, forming double-thick sides. Freeze 10 minutes.
Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake crust until edges are set, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and beans; bake until light golden, about 10 minutes longer, pressing crust down with spatula if bubbles form. Cool completely.
For Filling: Line bottom of crust with cherries. Whisk sugar, flour, and cinammon in large bowl. Whisk cream and next 5 ingrediants into sugar mixture. Pour cream mixture over cherries. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake tart until set in center, about 40 minutes. Cool 30 minutes (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature)
Bon Appetit, June issue 2005
menu:
chocolate milkshakes on the wrap around porch( with Godiva chocolate liquour for the adults)
steamed lobsters with butter
grilled pork tenderloins in the most delicious sauce with honey roasted peanuts
old fashioned picnic style potato salad
watermellon feta salad with fresh herbs from Bunny’s Garden
cherry almond tart
lemon limeade refreshers with fresh mint from Bunny’s Garden
Can I tell you again how amazing your house is. Your porch is divine!
Bunny…Your killin me!
I come to your site and just cannot force myself to leave… LOL
YOu have the most adorable home, and the wicker furniture, pillows…well, I love em all!
What a beautiful post….BTW, What time is dessert?
How delicious! Love your picnic scene
xoxox,
CC
Wow …amazing diplay & celebration! Adore the cute wooden lobster!! ~Glad that you guys had a fabulous day…
XO*
Oh I want that tart so so badly!!!
yum yum!!!
xo
You had me with the warm cherry almond tart…but when I saw all the decor I I had to go back over and over your pictures. This should be in a magazine! I love that pillow on the bench to! I can NOT wait to try this recipe!
What a lovely home and wonderful porch. Your decorating is just beautiful and your tart looks scrumpitous! I love the quilt as your tablecloth, too. Your post is the stuff daydreams are made of!
What a lovely home I wanted to follow the path way up to your wonderful porch and sit for awhile. Everything looks so nice, love how you dressed your table with the quilt, I also love the chair pad, so pretty. Thank you for sharing your yummy recipe! Happy Memorial Day!
Hugz,
Kim
Love your patriotic table…that wooden lobster is the cutest…what I wouldn’t give for a real one, right now! Ah, the Battenkill, I, too, have fished there. I was born and brought up in southern Vermont.