Saturday, November 27, 2010

NOVEMBER 2010 DARING BAKER CHALLENGE: CROSTATA!

I've never felt more satisfied with an empty bottle of jam until now. This means I've accomplished my mission for this week which is to finish my Daring Bakers Challenge on time. Things have been very hectic lately and I haven't been blogging as often as I would like to. But today, I found the time and I was able to finish it. This isn't the only batch of crostata I made, this must be the 3rd one but it's the only one I was able to take pictures of--it's that good!
The 2010 November Daring Bakers Challenge was hosted by Simona of briciola. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers to make pasta frolla for a crostata. She used her own experience as a source as well as information from Pellegrino Artusi's Science in the Kitchen and The Art of Eating Well.
I chose to make version one of the given recipe of pasta frolla to make into Crostata di Marmellata and I filled it using the Mango-Lime Jam that I made.

PASTA FROLLA (version 1)
100 grams superfine sugar
235 grams all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1/2 stick unsaled butter, cold and cut into small pieces
grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1 large egg and 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten in a small bowl
Whisk together flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Rub or cut the butter into the flour until the mixture has the consistency of coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mounded flour and butter mixture and pour the beaten eggs into it. Add the lemon zest to the flour/butter/egg mixture. Use fork to incorporate the liquid into the solid ingredients then use your fingertips. Knead lightly until it just comes into a ball. Shape the dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.

I made the pasta frolla by hand and I didn't have any major problems with it, but I had to add a bit of water for the dough to come together. After that, it rolled out nice and easy. I used our drinking glasses to cut the base, lined a greased muffin pan with the pasta frolla before I pricked it with a floured fork and spooned in my filling. I cut the remaining dough into flower shapes and stuck them on top, brushed it with egg wash and baked it for 25 minutes.

And there they are, the finished product. Delicious! Thank you to Simona for this challenge, I discovered another yummy dessert.



25 comments:

Linda Vandermeer McCubbin said...

Oh nice you made your own jam too. Cute petite tarts they look lovely.

Suz said...

Those little crostata look so cute & delicious! I love the sound of that jam.

Renata said...

I love bite sized food. Your little tarts are so cute with the flower on top!

Anonymous said...

The mini crostata look beautiful and the mango-lime jam sounds like a delicious filling; yum!!

Audax said...

Home made jam and just cute little crostata such lovely work on this challenge wonderful photos as well. Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.

Deeba PAB said...

Oooh I like it...what a great idea and such pretty little tarts. Beautifully done on the challenge.

shelley c. said...

That jam looks fantastic, and your mini-crostata are absolutely adorable. Awesome job with the challenge!!

Kris Ngoei said...

These mini crostatas are so pretty, just adore the bright yellow color from the mango lime jam. Home-made jam is always the best!!

Btw, how is your shop doing? You must been so busy dealing with production and marketing at the same time?? Do update..

sadaf said...

Awesome , these are sooo gorgeous mini crostatas.

Anonymous said...

So cute and yummy. Mango lime jam sounds amazing.

Unknown said...

Ohhh that looks so good.

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Mango-lime jam sounds delightful Must remeber that for the next mango season!
Love your cute little crostatine.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Oh ,mango-lime jam sounds great. I did it by hand too no problem. Flowers are the perfect touch.

lo81 said...

Little crostate with mango jam...mmmm, delicious!!! Great job!

The Betz Family said...

Those are so darling! Nice job on the challenge!

Koci said...

Oooh, that mango lime jam sounds delicious! I love those little crostatas so much. Their orangey cuteness just puts a smile on my face. :D

Valérie said...

These little tarts are so cute and adorable! Beautiful job!

Jane said...

These are perfect for single servings although I doubt I could stop at just one! The flower on top would seal the deal. Great job!

Meagan said...

Wow - those look almost too pretty to eat!

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Wow well done on the challenge , the crostata and the filling is awesome. Beautiful pictures.

Anonymous said...

Great work on both the jam and the crostata!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Lovely little tartlets! They look so delicious.

Cheers,

Rosa

Mary said...

They look perfect, and mango jam sounds absolutely delicious!
:)

Lisa said...

I love that you made your own jam for your adorable and so pretty little crostata. They look like little glistening jewels of pies. Mango-lime sounds absolutely sublime! Beatifully done!!

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