Saturday, October 19, 2013

FFwD - Caramel-Pecan Custard Tart

Dorie's Caramel-Pecan Custard Tart
I've made this with pecans and I've made this with almonds. It's simply delicious however you chose to make it! My sister was visiting and we had a girls dinner party so she could meet some of my friends.
I think my favorite tart was with almonds but its pretty darn good either way! And its very simple to make and your guests will think you are a culinary diva!

Dorie was at the center of the party (where she belongs).  I made a variation of  Tuna Nicoise Salad and everyone loved it! Instead of tuna I used shrimp and changed the ingredients a bit but kept the potatoes, beans and vinaigrette. It was very good and I meant to get a picture but you know how that goes!

It was a fun evening made even merrier by Cosmopolitans. This recipe makes a pitcher so you can keep the drinks flowing without spending all your time tending bar!  For parties I love a cocktail that is delicious but not so strong that the guests are past appreciating the food when it arrives! Yep, that's the way some of my dinner parties have gone.....and that's not all bad either.
Chirabouga Blue in the front, my new favorite. Its from Bavaria and exquisite!  Tomme Brulee on the right.  Prima Donna is on the left, a gouda type.

I had to show you this beautiful cheese course. My sister arranged the platter and we all thought it was gorgeous.  Almost too pretty too eat. I said almost.

It was a fun evening and now my sister is back at home in California. I wish her home wasn't so far from mine. We are in Memphis at the moment and then in Dallas (and the Fantastic Mr. B, our grandson) next week. Home? one of these days......

My wonderful cook-mates in this project can be found at French Fridays with Dorie as we cook our way through Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table.

14 comments:

  1. Your sister has quite the eye! I can't help but remember the tip of arranging food in odd numbers from the photography lecture at IFBC. That sounds like the perfect night in and the perfect company. Your variations on the tart also sound delicious. Mmmh, pecans...

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  2. Nice looking meal, all around. I love the French waiter posing with the tart! There's nothing like sisters, is there? I'm going to spend a couple days with mine this week. I always wish we lived closer, especially before, during, and after our visits.

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  3. Great tart, but I'll take that cheese tray as well!

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  4. Oh I would have loved being at this get together !!! You had me at the tart ...but by the time you mentioned cosmos, the shrimp and then I saw that cheese course...yes, please :) So nice to know that you are having a wonderful time visiting with family and friends and the traveling sounds fab. Home is for when the weather gets lousy, right ? Then straight to the kitchens we go. And I agree about how we all just met in person but miss each other already. I managed to get my hubby to the local French restaurant I posted about on FB yesterday and at the end of the meal I explained to the lovely owner (as I congratulated him) that I had a friend in Oklahoma who had teased me about not having any of the list show up in her state. We were actually laughing that if you knew the size of this town you would not believe this one made it either...and they are in shock. But your name came up and I wanted to let you know you are thought of, even if I didn't get to share a cosmo with you ...:)

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  5. I want to come to one of your dinners, Guyla!!! The menu sounds wonderful!!

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  6. Dear Guyla, your dinner party sounds fabulous, your Caramel Pecan Tart looks perfect and your cheese platter is wonderful (love those with lots of different cheeses, sweet grapes and crunchy apples). What a fabulous time you must have had with your sister and your girlfriends!

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  7. I agree with Liz I want to go to your dinners and I love the idea of Cosmopolitans too. Your tart is gorgeous.

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  8. Yes - count me in for that dinner as well :-)
    Everything looks and sounds wonderful - especially time spent with family.

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  9. Cosmopolitans sound good and love both presentations - tart and cheese platter!

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  10. Yum! Pecans would be great in this.

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  11. Guyla, your tart looks wonderful and so delicious:) I love the cheese tray.

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  12. That cheese board is absolutely beautiful. I love the red grapes. I'm glad to know this tart works with other nuts; it's definitely one I'll be making again.

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  13. Sounds like a fun night with your sister and friends! Your tart looks beautiful, and so does you cheese plate! Ok, I want to come too! Have fun with your grandbaby…enjoy every minute!!

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