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Mascarpone Banana Tartlets


I apologize for the current lack of posts but my parents are leaving in a week and I want to spend as much time as possible with them, even if it’s just relaxing on the patio with a glass of lemonade and some macarons, or spending the whole evening playing cards like when I was a kid. It’s going to be a little hectic here at Mr. and Mrs. Tartelette B&B as we have other friends dropping by for the next couple of weeks and then I am off to my favorite spa….

Back to our regular programming…

Leaving for a weekend getaway is fun and relaxing, especially with my parents (the “in-laws” for B.) They are really fun to hang out with, always ready for the next thing whether it is an exhibition or a hike. I am really happy that they adore B. and we all get along watching rugby (go France) or playing cards. I am not saying it is always rosy but when the logistics of packing for a trip and unpacking when we are back are easier when everybody gets along. I had to work last evening so I left the house in the hands of mom…unpacking the goods and knickknacks bought along the way, separating the laundry, taking care of my poor husband suffering from a terrible lumbago, etc… When I got home there was a post it on the counter top next to a plate of overripe bananas, “we are at the dock, catching shrimp for dinner. These bananas need to be used. We want dessert!” Now, this is a command I am most happy to execute! Especially if they took the time to fish dinner and all I have to do is fix the salad…There is nothing that screams more vacation to me than having boiled shrimp and salad for dinner. You can make a mess right there on the table and get silly on cocktail sauce and beer.

Back to the bananas…Right before my parents got in town, I had started to prepare a tart dough for one of my husband’s favorite pies but never got around to use it much less go beyond that part of the prep work. Hopefully I’ll get around it soon but in the meantime I had a whole delicious chocolate dough parked in the fridge about to give me a hissing fit if it did not get used (remember that my ingredients speak to me). Not wanting to make a dozen little tarts (too easy to eat!), I divided the dough in half and froze the rest for later use. Coming back home is always nice but the bananas had a most definite sad look about them. Not it was not cake or crumble, but tarts this time, how surprising eh?! The mascarpone filling is pretty straightforward. I used it a lot in catering and can’t tell you where I got it from, we all seem to have passed it down to one another over the years at the restaurant. You can use cream cheese if you prefer, but I like the smooth texture and sharper taste of mascarpone, especially with a touch of almond extract. Perfect balance to chocolate and bananas, and perfect bite size dessert after a big crab and shrimp boil!


Mascarpone and Banana Tartlets

Makes 6 3-inch tartlets

Chocolate Crust (inspired from Chocolate Passion, by Tish Boyle and Tim Moriarty)

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 stick butter, softened, cut into small pieces

Sift flour with cocoa powder and make a well in the center. Add the egg yolks, sugars and vanilla to the well. Combine with your hands or a mixer and add the butter pieces. Knead with your hands 2-3 minutes or until the dough comes together. Divide in 2 and wrap in plastic. Note that you only need one half for the recipe. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes prior to using.
When ready to use, roll the dough in between sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Cut out 4 inch circles with a cookie cutter or other template. Fit into the 3 inch tartlets or other desired molds. Prick with a fork and blind bake for 10 minutes at 350F
Let cool completely before feeling them with the mascarpone cream.

Mascarpone Banana Filling:

1 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on your taste)
1 egg
1 tsp. pure almond extract
zest of 1/2 lemon
2 tsp lemon juice
2 bananas, thinly sliced

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mascarpone, sugar and egg. Whisk until well blended. Add the lemon juice, zest and almond extract.
Divide evenly among the tart shells. Arrange the bananas slices over, pushing them in the cream a little. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

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Comments


Mallow October 10, 2007 um 5:53 am

Those look so good! (I wish I could see the crab and shrimp boil too!)


Yujai October 10, 2007 um 6:30 am

Oh! WOW! They look so good XD May I have some?


Anonymous October 10, 2007 um 7:18 am

They look very good! I love that you baked the banana slices, you don’t come across that often.


Anonymous October 10, 2007 um 7:36 am

They sure look delicious and I love mascarpone =) Have u tried baking a banana meringue tart? I saw it in a cakeshop and it looks interesting.


KJ October 10, 2007 um 8:16 am

I am definitely going to be trying these. They look absolutely delicious.


Nabeela October 10, 2007 um 8:33 am

Crab and shrimp boil and then mascarpone banana tartlets? You’re one lucky girl!


Cheryl October 10, 2007 um 12:37 pm

Love the idea of banana and mascarpone in the same dessert. This is a beautiful first thing in the morning treat.


Anonymous October 10, 2007 um 12:37 pm

I’m weak in the knees again – tartlets! That mascarpone filling sounds delicious and very versatile. Am definitely bookmarking this for later use.
Wow – catching shrimp for dinner? That sounds like so much fun!


Oh for the love of food! October 10, 2007 um 12:44 pm

These tartlets look too welcoming – good idea to only make six! I’ve always loved chocolate and bananas together, it’s such a great flavor combination.


Karen Baking Soda October 10, 2007 um 1:13 pm

This screams yummy to me (somehow sweets are speaking to me lately..and my hips start whispering). Love your choice of mascarpone!


Casey October 10, 2007 um 2:14 pm

Any time someone wants to go catch fresh seafood for dinner, I’m happy to make dessert, but those tartlets look exceptionally tasty.


Deborah October 10, 2007 um 2:40 pm

I’ll make dinner next time if you bring dessert!


Hilda October 10, 2007 um 2:45 pm

décidément, moi je viens de parler de mon banana bread (with chocolate) dans mon blog. Is it cosmic or what? En tout cas, elles ont l’air super bonnes comme d’hab, et je vais essayer ça dès que j’aurai un peu de place sur ma silhouette.


Abby October 10, 2007 um 2:52 pm

Yum! Chocolate and bananas? Heaven. How was your trip? I hope our sleepy little town was good to you – but it was HOT, wasn’t it? (Not that it’s any different where you live, ha.) Tell me about it! I worked and worked all wked – overtime on Friday, actually. Boo-hoo.


Anonymous October 10, 2007 um 4:39 pm

No worries about the lack of posts but thank you for checking in on us with this wonderful recipe! I know how it feels to want to spend every moment with someone before they leave…my brother and his family (meaning my 1-year-old niece) are moving to Seattle in November and I couldn’t be more sad!


Peabody October 10, 2007 um 9:26 pm

I like that you used the chocolate crust…gives it a little something special.


LizNoVeggieGirl October 10, 2007 um 10:11 pm

oooh, what a lovely-looking banana tarlet.

no need to apologize for lack of posts – it’s important to spend time with family! :0)


Belinda October 10, 2007 um 10:38 pm

These are so cute, Helene! And a perfect way to use those bananas. I bet everyone was thrilled with them…I know I would have been. Enjoy your time with your parents…they sound like a lot of fun to have around. 🙂


Anonymous October 10, 2007 um 11:44 pm

Your parents sound adorable! I could eat them up right after I eat these tarts up!


Jenny October 10, 2007 um 11:51 pm

Sorry but who needs banana when there is shrimp involved! There was room for dessert with a shrimp boil going on? Maybe they didn’t bring back enough? 🙂


MyKitchenInHalfCups October 11, 2007 um 12:02 am

Forget the apologize thing! as long as you are enjoying family, somehow the love always shines through in good things like these tarts.
We’re fishing for shrimp, we want dessert! I can’t tell you how much that makes me smile.


test it comm October 11, 2007 um 1:47 am

This looks really good. Bananas, chocolate and mascarpone, mmm….


Dolores October 11, 2007 um 5:07 am

Oh my G-A-W-D. I still have a ball of the Eric Kayser’s tart dough in the freezer. Mascarpone in the 'fridge and a couple of bananas in the fruit bowl. And relatives visiting from out of town this weekend…

I now know what I’m making for dessert!


Big Boys Oven October 11, 2007 um 5:32 am

Looks incredible lovely. with mascarpone and banana , they will add a A plus!


Anh October 11, 2007 um 6:17 am

Another great dessert from you! These are surely winners!


Katie October 11, 2007 um 7:26 am

Yum they look delicous. I adore the combination of banana and chocolate.


Anonymous October 11, 2007 um 9:10 am

Hanging my head in shame about the rugby (poor Ireland) can I have a tart to make me feel better?


Finla October 11, 2007 um 12:14 pm

They are delicious looking as always


Anonymous October 11, 2007 um 2:15 pm

Mon dieu, que cela a l’air bon (et riche aussi, mais cela n’en est que meilleur, n’est-ce pas ???)


Real Live Lesbian October 11, 2007 um 4:04 pm

Those look like heaven!!!!


Lesley October 11, 2007 um 5:04 pm

That crust recipe looks phenomenal, I’ll try it soon. I always am looking for something to do with leftover bananas…love this recipe! Merci!


Ranni October 11, 2007 um 6:04 pm

I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and have never commented before. I saw, via another blog, about the 2007 Weblog Awards. They have a category for Best Food Blog and I nominated yours for it. (if I did it right) I love your stories you give with each recipe and look forward to each new post! Didn’t oocur to me until later that you might not want a nom, but you certainly deserve one!


Lis October 11, 2007 um 8:53 pm

Wow! Banana tartlets! YUMMY 😀

If they tasted 1/2 as good as they look then they had to have been AMAZING.

EIGHT MORE DAYS!!!

WOOO!


Truffle October 12, 2007 um 6:44 am

These look divine! Have a wonderful time with your family.


Anonymous October 13, 2007 um 4:46 pm

Cruising around to my favorite food blogs for a good dessert idea, this one struck me… it sounds interesting and wonderful, and I adore marscapone! Can’t wait to try it tonight! Thanks!


Anonymous October 14, 2007 um 11:01 am

Oh, I just have to keep this recipe on the list and make it soon. Everything I like is in it.

Enjoy your family! Et mince, on a perdu au rugby!


food makes me happy October 16, 2007 um 5:23 am

Wow~!
All my favorite ingredients in this one yummy thing!


Anonymous October 16, 2007 um 12:39 pm

I love the flavor combination. They look yummy!!!


Anonymous October 26, 2007 um 6:58 pm

cyhzxG Wonderful blog.


Lowdown on the LowCountry November 6, 2007 um 8:08 pm

Are you not working now? I’m going to be starting a bakery. Would you like to talk?


Helene November 6, 2007 um 8:11 pm

Lowdown: what’s your email address. Let’s talk!


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