Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Meyer lemon and chocolate tart

When I look out my window, this is what I see...
Meyer lemons, and lots of them! Meyer lemons are sweeter than your standard lemon and have a more complex flavor. They're great in most applications where you'd normally use a regular lemon. I decided to take advantage of my bounty and make this meyer lemon and chocolate tart recipe from Sunday Suppers at Lucques for my dad's birthday. I do have a confession to make: this was my first time making a tart. I was pretty happy with the way it came out.

This is a fairly traditional tart with two unique characteristics - the use of meyer lemons and a thin layer of bittersweet chocolate between the crust and the filling. You could use regular lemons to make this, but you may need to increase the amount of sugar in the lemon curd. I made some candied lemon peel to decorate the top.

So, I'd say that my first attempt at baking a tart was successful. Now I just need to decide what kind of tart to make next.

49 comments:

Julie said...

That's just beautiful!

veggie belly said...

Sara, this looks amazing. The candied peel is a lovely touch. And what a great view you have from your window! Im jealous...we just got dumped with snow and ice :(

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I've seen this recipe in Lucques cookbook. Must be nice to look at Meyer lemon. They are rare to find in Canada.

Dewi said...

Hard to believe, because your tart looks fantastic. I can't wait what next, Sara.
Cheers,
Elra

Pam said...

You are so lucky to have a meyer lemon tree and to have your first tart turn out so beautiful. My mouth is drooling looking at the picture. Great job.

Navita (Gupta) Hakim said...

Sara these look insanely gorgeous!

just bought a mini cart load of meyers...need to try this.

Selba said...

Looks so beautiful.... and although it's your first time to make it, I believe it tasted very good :)

The Blonde Duck said...

What a lovely view! No wonder you make such cool dishes---you've got inspiration!

Donna-FFW said...

Love your lemon tree.. you are so very lucky to have those gems!! The tart looks great. Do you have the Book Once Upon a Tart?? So many fantastic tart recipes, amongst others, in there.. From a bakery in NYC I believe. Love the combo of the choc and lemon.

Culinary Wannabe said...

Beautiful! And the candied peel really sends it over the top!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Sara, your tart is gorgeous and I like the idea of the chocolate with it. I had a "tart citron", as they call it when we were in France and they made a little chocolate swirl sort of decoration on the top. I've never tasted a Meyer lemon so I'm glad you've told us about them. Your Dad must have been thrilled. I'm staying tuned for your next tart.
Sam

Cathy said...

Lemon is my all time favourite flavour! Meyere lemons are hard to find here though, but I think I may have to give this a try.

Barbara Bakes said...

I'm so jealous of your lemon tree! Your tart looks terrific!

Anonymous said...

Meyer lemon and chocolate - Delicious! What a wonderful dessert!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh.. you do have a lemon tree.. you are so lucky.. did you plant it yourself?

BTW, the tart, looks 100% pro and DIVINE!

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Beautiful! I'm so jealous of your Meyer lemon tree! and jealous of your weather. =(

Anonymous said...

My husband would love that!

Reeni said...

It's absolutley gorgeous! I am so jealous of your lemons-I can't even find Meyer lemons here.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Your tart looks so elegant. I love lemons. You are so lucky to look out of your window have that beautiful lemony view.

Joie de vivre said...

That's so beautiful Sara! I'm jealous of the Meyer Lemon tree. Everything freezes here in the winter. :)

Finla said...

Wowo you are so lucy that you have a tree which gives you so much leamons.

Maria said...

I wish I had lemons outside my window, all I get is snow! The tart looks dreamy!

Thistlemoon said...

That looks delicious! Great minds think alike with all the Meyer lemons going around! Your tree is BEAUTIFUL!

Karen said...

What beautiful pictures of "before" and "after"! I bet Dad was happy with his birthday meal *and* dessert.

Apples and Butter said...

I'd say it was very successful! Your tart came out beautifully! Can I have some lemons? Kidding, but I am very jealous of your beautiful tree! I just got around to planting a Eureka Lemon tree this year. I probably won't have much to show for it until next year.

Anonymous said...

Everything was amazing, trust me. And, yes, I consider myself very lucky. : )

eatme_delicious said...

Mmm gorgeous tart! I need to find some Meyer lemons. I've never had them before.

Cakelaw said...

Lemon and chocolate together - OMG! I'm in heaven! And the pie looks like sunshine itself - wonderful job Sara.

Rosie Hawthorne said...

The tart, although exquisite, pales in comparison to your lemon tree. I must always have copious quantities of lemons on hand. I cannot live without my lemons. I covet your lemon tree.

Anonymous said...

I love tarts and will definitely have to try this. I'd been thinking of making a meyer lemon tart, anyway.

anudivya said...

That is outside your window! Wow, how lucky are you! I am green...
With such fresh lemons, this must be divine.

Netts Nook said...

I have been looking for a great lemon recipe to make tonight thanks for the help love it.

Jan said...

Oh, goodness me. I wish I was looking out on a lemon tree instead of lots of snow and
ice. :-)

I love all things lemony, and this looks to die for.

Robin said...

Sara that is a beautiful tart and never thought about lemon and chocolate together before. You have a very nice view outside as well. I sure would like to look at a lemon tree right now! I have never had a Meyer lemon so I can add this to my food quest. Hopefully my Whole Foods will have them.

pigpigscorner said...

Lovely tart! Love the candied lemon peel on top.

priscilla joy said...

Aw, California sunshine. How I'd love that about right now. Right now out of my window I see snow, snow, chilly wind, and a little sun.
Your lemon pie looks delicious!

Olga said...

wow! that's quite a gorgeous view from your window ;)

Anonymous said...

THAT LOOKS SO GOOD! What a GREAT combination of flavors!

Sara said...

Thanks everyone for the compliments!

Donna - I don't have that book, I do have Dorie Greenspan's baking book which has a lot of tart recipes.

Girl Japan - I didn't plant this one, it's pretty old. We did plant another little lemon tree last year, it's produced exactly one lemon so far this season.

Robin Sue - I think Whole Foods would have them, I've seen them at Trader Joe's before too, not sure if you have one of those in your area.

Unknown said...

jealous of your lemons!! this sounds just delightful :)

test it comm said...

Nice looking lemon tart! I really like the sound of the chocolate layer.

Daziano said...

WOW... When I look out of my window everything I see is snow!!! Pretty sad, isn't it ;P

Lucy..♥ said...

Lucky you to be able to just go out & pick your lemons. I absolutely love the flavor of Meyer lemons and should be in my markets soon!! Great tart, I can almost taste it!!!

Leslie said...

Oh you lucky dog! I would love to have a lemon tree in my yard! I too have never made a tart. I guess if I got a tart pan it would help!

Cakebrain said...

Oh, I'm so envious of you with your lemon trees! I've always wanted to pick fruit from my back yard...but citrus just isn't going to grow here in Vancouver! Beautiful looking tart!

Colleen said...

Hi Sara! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Ok, first of all I jealous that A. you see lemons outside of your window and B. that it is SUNNY. This looks great!

Yasmeen said...

The beauty of living in a sunny California,What can I say,its freezing out here and sunny warm weather is months away.
Paired with chocolate and fresh lemons,the tart looks heavenly:)

Lori said...

That looks absolutely beautiful and inviting!

Miette said...

Mmmm... Cette recette met l'eau à la bouche !

Bises

Miettes