Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Tuesday's with Dorie: Tarte Noire

When we lived in Germany, we were friends with some self-proclaimed (American) food snobs.  I would always chuckle to myself at what they wouldn't eat: canned meat, rice and beans etc.  Not that they had never eaten those things, it's just that they had developed great cooking skills and dreamed of opening a restaurant.  Eating plain old rice and beans just doesn't cut it after you reach a certain skill level like they had.

Well, I think I am turning into a dessert snob although I am not all the way there yet.  After baking so many wonderful dessert recipes with the best ingredients with this baking group, it is actually becoming difficult for me to like or enjoy certain desserts as much as I would have in the past.

Take this weekend for example.  I took my tart to a pie party on the 4th.  I figured the tart is related to the pie and the French helped us gain our independence, so it would be fitting.  With great anticipation, I eyed the other pies trying to decide which of the twenty or so pies I would sample.  I tried four others besides my own and I only liked half of them!  Who doesn't like dessert?  DESSERT!  What is the matter with me?


(By the way, the ganache was perfectly smooth until it was time to transport it.  I put plastic wrap over it and it instantly stuck to the top.  Blast!  When will I ever get a picture of a good LOOKING dessert!?!)

Well, maybe some people didn't like mine as it was made out of dark chocolate (noire being French for "dark").  I know a lot of people do not like dark chocolate.  It is an acquired taste.  Once you love it, you are officially a dessert snob! :)  It's still not my favorite, and that is why say I am not a fully-developed dessert snob yet.  I sure did feel like one as I was eating my pies.  I almost felt ashamed.  Guilty.  After all, how much time and effort did someone put into making these pies, and (more importantly) how many not-so-great desserts have I made?  PLENTY!

Even though my food snobbery is not yet fully developed, I did like this tart despite its darkness.  I think two things made it "acceptable" to my taste buds.
1)  I used really good Belgium chocolate.
2)  Dorie's light, buttery, shortbread-like crust really balances the bitter taste of dark chocolate.

Would I make this again?  Yes, for someone who loves chocolate, or for some dessert snob I need to impress.  :)

So, all you dessert snobs and chocolate lovers, please visit Dharma Girl's blog: Bliss Towards A Delicious Life, to view the recipe for this tart.  Thanks, Dharma Girl, for choosing this week's recipe!

14 comments:

Susan said...

I feel your pain about the plastic on the tart. I was taking pictures and reached to move my tart and stuck my fingers into it. :( Luckily I already had a couple of good photos!

I used half bitter and half semi-sweet chocolate for my tarte and made the chocolate crust. Yum!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I loved that this was easy to make. Too hot to fuss.

I am sure that no one choked onyours.

Anonymous said...

Your tart looks delicious - great job!

Hindy said...

Your tart is a beautiful stand-out on that table. I'm sure it was a hit.

Cristine said...

I am with you Janell... A total dessert snob! Okay, maybe not a complete dessert snob, but definately getting there! Glad I'm not alone. :) Great job!

Kimberly Johnson said...

Your tart looks great!

AmyRuth said...

A goofy rule of thumb used for my hips and thighs heh Is it totally worth the calories? That is where my "snobiness" falls. LOL Yep, you are not alone. Unless a restaurant makes their desserts in house I don't even bother. Now a tiny solution for fragile desserts. Go to your local craft store and buy yourself a handful of cake boxes. No wrap is necessary and you have coverage. You can also order online by bulk if you like. Its a snob thing.
AmyRuth

The Mortensens said...

Thanks for the advice Amy Ruth!

Jeannette said...

I love your almost food snobbery. I feel like that sometimes when I come across a store bought cake or a frozen pie or cheesecake. I kind of cringe inside a little bit and think to myself "but homemade is much better" but, I think this in my head of course. No sense in hurting anyones feelings when I am still not a whiz in the kitchen :)

our tart looks great!

Jeannette said...

I love your almost food snobbery. I feel like that sometimes when I come across a store bought cake or a frozen pie or cheesecake. I kind of cringe inside a little bit and think to myself "but homemade is much better" but, I think this in my head of course. No sense in hurting anyones feelings when I am still not a whiz in the kitchen :)

our tart looks great!

TeaLady said...

Simple. Dark. Delicious. Decadent. Yep!! That was this tart. I know it was probably bettr than ALL the other pies there. After all, it is a Dorie Recipe.

Beautiful, from another aspiring Dessert Snob!!

mike said...

Funny how we are about certain things.... chocolate/coffee, etc. Belgian chocolate is the best! Just wish I had some - although French worked out fine too! Delicious looking tart! Bravo!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

i'm sure your tart would be up to any food snob's standards!

dharmagirl said...

i know just what you mean about dessert snobbery. i can now sniff our coolwhip in an instant and it's all i can do to politely taste test. thanks for baking with me this week.