LIME CHOCOLATE ALMOND SHORTBREAD TART…Making it YELLOW for IWD!!

Lime Chocolate Almond Shortbread Tart…making it YELLOW!!

Got a mail from the talented Zorra @ Kochtopf the other day announcing an event being co hosted by her for International Women’s Day on 8th March. In her words…”fiordisale asked me to organize with her a special event for International Women’s Day. March 8 is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. Food connects people, so we would like to invite you to cook or bake something yellow for this special day. Yellow because on this day in Southern countries there is the tradition to give sprigs of bright yellow Mimosa flowers to women. The flowers are intended as a sign of respect and also an expression of solidarity with the women in their support for oppressed women worldwide.So this year, instead of the Mimosa sprigs, we will make yellow food! It can be whatever you like: pasta, meat, fish, fingerfood or a whole menu as long as it is yellow.”

If it’s on my mind, then I have to do something about it. I spent a day browsing all my books for ideas, & then eventually the net for more ideas. This recipe appealed to me for it’s out & out simplicity, regular pantry ingredients, & a great looking end result. In Rachel Ray’s words…No need to get out your rolling pin or even grease the pan for this dessert. Just use your fingers to mix the shortbread dough, then dump it straight into a cake pan, press down and bake.

Shouting it LOUD…YELLOW!!

You can view the original recipe HERE too. Mine is an adaptation which I made last week…( this week was booked for our anniversary’s ‘CLOUD’ cake). I added almonds to the shortbread crust for a added crunch & flavour, & some low fat cream so that the custard would be a little richer. Just a personal choice because I was indulging myself for IWD!! Instead of raspberries, which we don’t get here, I grated a layer of chocolate & topped it with the custard. Finished the top with something from the main ingredients to tie it all together! The combination of flavours beautifully complimented each other…this is a great YELLOW bake for dessert. Simple to make & great on taste!! I decorated the top because I enjoy doing arty stuff, but a dusting of sugar, like in the original recipe, would make it taste great too!

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Keep an 8″ spring form tin ready. (I greased the bottom, though Rachel Ray says there’s no need to. I like to play safe!)
• Put the flour + sugar + whole almonds in a processor & pulse it in short pulses, till almonds ground fine.
• Add the cold butter (cut roughly into pieces) & continue to pulse till the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Add the extract & pulse just till the mixture starts coming together & starts getting caught around the blades of the processor.
• Turn into a bowl, mix briefly till uniform & then press uniformly into the base of an 8″ spring form tin.
• Bake for 20mins till the top is golden brown. Take out & place on rack.

For the custard:

• While the base is baking…
• Beat the eggs with 3/4 cup sugar.
• Add the zest + lime juice + cream + 1/4 cup flour + lemon extract & beat again. Add yellow food colour if required.
• Once the base is done, remove onto a rack & reduce the oven temperature to 170 degrees C.
• Sprinkle base with chocolate chips & grate some chocolate directly over it.
• Pour the custard into the base & bake for approximately 45 minutes. After 10-15 minutes, if the top is browning too fast, slide a sheet of foil loosely over the top.

• Once set, remove & cool completely, then sift powdered sugar over the top & decorate as you like!
• Chill well before serving!

  

  Pretty in YELLOW …A slice of tart! Here’s to all you great women…

ENJOY YOUR DAY TODAY…the 8th of March, 2008!!

While the colour is yellow, another important date on the calendar is approaching…LiveSTRONG Day 2008 has been announced. This year it is on May 13th.

Do check out a foodie event at Barbara’s blog Winos & Foodies . In her words, “Here in the food and wine blogging community we will be supporting LiveSTRONG Day with our A Taste of Yellow event. Please join me again as we remember those loved ones who are no longer with us, support those still fighting and celebrate with those who have won the fight.”