January 16, 2013

Little pumpkin tarts



We attended a party recently where the hosts were very kind to their vegan guests, and made sure there was lots of beautiful, delicious food to eat. I'm actually skipping the dinner and moving right to the dessert, because I was so impressed with the mini pumpkin tarts that were served.


There was also an impressive, mouthwatering bowl of dark vegan chocolate and a large platter of fruit for dipping, but the tarts! They were so cute and so yummy and they made me think about my mini tart pans and how I should use them already.


Not only were the tarts delicious, pretty and vegan, they were also gluten-free and grain-free! Jen made them, and they were perfect little gems — delicate, flaky crust, light, creamy pumpkin filling and whipped coconut cream topping. I've got the recipe for you.

Jen made her tarts in silicone muffin cups, pressing the dough part way up the sides. She put the silicone cups into a muffin tin so the shells would keep their shape while baking. I don't have silicone bakeware, but last summer I bought a set of eight mini tart pans at a garage sale. The tins are approximately 4-inches across the top, 3-1/4-inches across the bottom, and 3/4 of an inch high. They are in great condition and I've always wondered why — did the tart shells stick and refuse to come out after they were baked so the previous owner only used them once? I was pretty sure that's what would happen. I made half a recipe and carefully pressed the pastry dough into the pans. I had enough dough to make the shells go about halfway up the sides of six tart pans. I first oiled the pans, then pressed the dough carefully into the fluted sides, making sure all the edges were fairly even and the same height.

Little sweet potato tarts

After the shells were baked and briefly cooled on a metal rack, I held the edges of a pan, pressed gently on the back, and the perfect little shell popped right out! Five more perfect little shells and, grinning with glee, I prepared the filling.

Although Jen's tarts were wonderful, I made a couple of changes to the recipe. Instead of all almond flour, my shells were half almond and half sorghum. And, instead of pumpkin, the filling was made from baked sweet potato. I used a solidly-packed half cup of potato (one medium potato) for six tarts. It was creamy and delicious, but not as airy as the pumpkin purée. The topping was made from coconut cream, as in the recipe, but made in a food processor because I don't have a mixer. I was quite pleased with the tarts and recommend the recipe to you.

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Intentions ...

Instead of resolutions, this year I have an intention. I intend to create two pieces of art per month. Here's my latest collage. It was made as a gift so I couldn't post it until the recipient had received it. It's made from home furnishing catalogs but that's all I'm going to say. It's 15 by 20 with a three-inch mat.




25 comments:

  1. The tarts look so good, both the ones you made and the ones your hosts made. Pumpkin and coconut cream area such a great combo. I'm checking out that recipe!

    I adore your art. What a lovely gift! Your intention is awesome and I wish you the best with it. :)

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    1. This was my first time making coconut cream, and it's so good — too much fat, though. But good!

      Thanks about the art. I love making it.

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  2. Your collage is incredible! Whoever the recipient is is very lucky.

    Those tarts make me wish I had mini tart pans! I might make just the filling as I think that sounds like the best part and I don't have any tart pans :-)

    Courtney

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    1. Thank you, my dear.

      It was so much fun to make the mini tarts, and so exciting when they actually turned out! Maybe you come upon some at Goodwill or a garage sale, like I did. :)

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  3. wow these look heavenly! mmm!

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    1. They were very delicious — and fun to eat!

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  4. That is a gorgeous collage. What do you tack yrs down with?
    Also with the orange theme with the tartlets (I love that word)! I would eat all those little cuties. man, two pumpkin dessert posts in one night and I'm fiending...

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    1. Thank you. I used a glue stick and covered the whole thing with acrylic medium to seal it. After 7 years, my first one is still intact. However, I just got some Golden (brand name) soft gel medium (matte) to use on the next ones. Also some Golden polymer medium (gloss) for the sealer.

      The tartlets were delish — so creamy and mouth-happy. You should make some.

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  5. I love your artwork!!!

    And thanks for the mouthwatering recipe. Can't wait to try it!

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    1. Thank you Claire. I hope you try the tarts and enjoy them as much as we did. Gluten-free, just for you!

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  6. How can I concentrate on tarts when there's gorgeous artwork to be ogled? Fantastic.

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    1. Tarts are the most important thing. You just need more self-discipline. But thank you!

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  7. They look fab, Andrea, and I love your collage.

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  8. How can I concentrate on gorgeous art when there's tarts to be ogled?!

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  9. Was the art made by a tart?

    Okay I just reread the post, I see no.
    Those are very cute tarts and wonderful art, Andrea.

    I must tell you about the game of intentions.I think I will post soon about it.

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    1. Thank you Gigi, for not calling me a tart who makes art. This was the first time I've made mini-tarts, but it won't be the last. You should definitely post about the game.

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  10. They are so cute and petite! I remember you mentioning your little tart pans and how you were concerned about the crust sticking to them. I'm so glad you can use them so they can fulfill their destiny! :)

    Cool art piece! Intentions sounds so much more attainable than resolutions. I hope you will share all your artwork with us!

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    1. I was thinking of you as I made the tarts — I remember telling you about the pans. I can't wait to make more tarts, but I need to invite people over so I don't end up with a bunch of tarts in the fridge. We all know what happens, then.

      Thank you about the art. My intentions are good but haven't quite happened yet. But, I have a good excuse. :)

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  11. I love mini food! Especially desserts, it's just the right size for me. The tarts look so good and cute! Awesome piece of art too! Will all of your pieces be collages?

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    1. These were my first mini tarts and I can't wait to make more. So cute! Thanks for the art comment. I want to do a series of collages so I think the answer is probably yes. But anything can happen. :)

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  12. What a beautiful piece of art! I'm sure that the gift recipient loved it! I like your idea of having intentions in place of resolutions. At the end of the year, you'll feel much more satisfied with the artwork you've created than you would imagining the chocolates you've refused!

    That was so thoughtful of your host to put together a delicious, vegan meal down to the pumpkin tarts! They sound wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Cadry. I hope I can make my intentions a reality. Yes, it was thoughtful for the party-givers to make such wonderful food.

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  13. Wow, I love those tarts! How nice of you to be thought of at a party, including your gluten-free needs. And what an artist! What other secrets have you been keeping from us? I know it's not that your city is trying to steal my city's Kings!

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    1. The person who made the tarts is gluten-free! About the Kings — I want to assure you I have no part in that. I'm not much of a sports fan but I feel bad for you guys. It must be hard to lose a team. And I feel bad for the Kings to have to come to this rainy city after being in sunny California! Maybe you'll come to see them play and we can go out to lunch.

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