Step 13: Time to start on the filling. I realize too late that I really should’ve read the darn recipe. Back out to the store to get some things I forgot the first time. Decide to go ahead and get the cognac instead of using the brandy I had at home. Never tried Cognac before…
Step 14: OH MY GOSH…Cognac iS inCreDiBly sTroNg…mUst Lie bACk dOwN agAiN.
Step 15: Finish making the almond cream. Easy peasy. Hey…this stuff is tasty.
Step 16: Press the crust in my cute little tart tins. Hmmm…this is melting quickly. ummm…shoot. Throw it in the freezer to get it to firm up quickly. I’m sure this is going to bite me in the @$$…that some baking God is going to smote me for freezing it. Take it out of the freezer and fill the crust with the almond cream.
Step 17: Pick through my figs, eating the bad ones…man, there’s a lot of bad ones. Uh oh. Not sure if I have enough left for the filling. Cook figs per instructions taste testing every few minutes…
Step 18: Start whisking the custard. THREE minutes? Glance over at the clock…it’s only been a minute and my arm is already killing me. Look down at the eggs and sugar. Hmmm…looks whisked enough. ONE minute it is.
Step 19: Look in the oven to see the almond cream had puffed all right – puffed right out of the shell…not sure how I’m going to fit the figs and custard. *SIGH*
Step 20: throw on the figs, custards, and almonds…
Step 21: Wait patiently for 50 minutes during which time I knit, clean, answer emails, write up my Tofu blog, read a few chapters of my book, figure out the answer to world peace and promptly forget that I’m still baking.
Step 22: RUN, I mean RUN, to my kitchen to take the “well done” tarts out of the oven. Let cool off.
Step 23: Take a bite. HOLY CRAP, BATMAN. Wow. i mean, WOW. This shizz is GOOD.
Step 24: Send a Tweet to @Zenchef saying, “I formally apologize for ever doubting your genius. Tart crust came out fan-freaking-tastic. The whole recipe was awesome.”
I’ve been following/stalking/reading his blog for a couple of years now and this is the first time I’ve ever attempted any of his recipes. I have to admit that this won’t the last time I will ever stalk him again. [now would be a good time for him to change his email address.]
* oh yeah…because I’m a big enough person to admit it, even in very fine print, I concede that the frenchman was correct and I was wrong. If i could’ve written this in a smaller font, I would have.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Loved this post Jen! Made my day.
I especially loved your fine prints!!
And yes, our little French chef rocks…
Wait.. i need a magnifying glass to read the last sentence. Can't you use a much BIGGER font!? 🙂
Wow. I'm impressed! You survived one of my recipes. Some people went down that path before and i never heard of them again. Nice job!!
Make the cheese souffle now and you'll pass the test. 🙂
Couldnt stop laughing! This post is great ahahah I can see @ZenChef behind u pointing the finger at ur mistakes during the preparation ghgh 😉 Nice pics btw :))
Tartelette: Zen isn't the only one who rocks! I'm sorry to inform you that you will not escape being stalked by me [again] as well! be prepared!!
Zen: i almost omitted that fine print. I hate being wrong. 🙂 If I can successfully make that cheese souffle, i will write in the biggest font possible that you are a genius, can do no wrong, and are my biggest hero. or something like that.
LOL this was awesome! That tart looks fabulous…
Alessio: I almost didn't post this because I know how much he "dumbed" down this recipe…and yet I could barely manage it! *SIGH*…
Alejandra: you've got to try this. my co-workers *LOVED* this tart. and they don't nearly love figs as much as I do!
This post was so great, Jenny. I was cracking up…b/c i know this is exactly how it was.
You are so funny! You definitely need to try a Tartelette recipe–her recipes are FABULOUS! Plus, don'tchya think she needs some more stalking from us? We've got to figure out how to get her out here.
RIGHT?? We SHOULD see if she'd be willing to do a class! 🙂 That would be awesome!
I love your stalker series!