straw + berry = Strawberry :-)

By this time I hope you’ve been able to realize I’m a Foodie. I love to make people happy with food. There’s just something about being able to feed people. Food is what connects everyone. Our entire culture is centered around food. Almost all social events are centered around it. Celebrations, gatherings, anything. That has nothing to do in particular with today’s post…I just wanted to make sure you knew what you’re dealing with :). Haha.
                         

Im here!  And with berry fantastic food!  (Get it? "Berry" fantastic? Funny right?! Jk.)

Any who.  Every Friday my dad and I like to go to our local Farmer’s Market. The freshest of everything is there. Good stuff.

If you haven’t noticed, strawberries are everywhere. Really, they are. Look through a current issue of your food magazine or checkout any food blog. I guarantee you it has some sort of recipe involving strawberries. Guaranteed.

Back to my story. So yesterday my dad went to the Farmer’s Market while my mom and I went on a hike.

He got some apples, blueberries, and oh, what do ya know?! Strawberries! We’ve gotten them from our local Farmer’s Market before and lemme tell you something buddy, they were well worth it! You dig? Ha, oh I know you do. Who could be against strawberries??? I mean, come on, let’s get real here! ;-) (Oh, FYI: Strawberries are one of the most pesticide filled crops, so go for the organic.)

 Last week he bought strawberries and we made strawberry shortcakes together.

I know, I know. I didn’t share it with you guys. But this time around I am. So no worries :).

He asked me to make more shortcakes but I wanted to try something different. How about a tart???

Simple. Refreshing. Light. That’s all I wanted. I didn’t want to make a filling. No cremes or custards. Just fruit. And I wanted my crust to resemble something that of a cookie to complete that clean, fresh taste.

In a way it’s Strawberry shortcake…but in a tart…I like it… ;-). If you use Sofella like I did, keep in mind you don't need the xanthan gum.  Here's the original tart recipe http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/04/tart-pan-giveaway/.
So here it is! Feel free to whip up some whipped creme. (No pun intended ;-). Or a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!



Strawberry Tart

Crust
-1 ½ cup all-purposed GF flour*
-1 tsp Xanthan gum
-1/2 cup White sugar
-1/4 tsp Salt
-9 tbsp cold Earth Balance
-1/4 cup Almond Milk or 1/2 cup Plain Yogurt
-1 large Egg yolk
-2 tbsp Earth Balance

Strawberries & Sauce
-2 small baskets of Strawberries
-3/4 cup White Sugar
-1 tbsp & 2 tsp Lemon Juice
-2 tbsp Earth Balance
-1/8 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp vanilla

Preheat to 400F.  Slice strawberries, add sugar, lemon juice and toss.  Allow to sit in the fridge for at least 30min.  In a food processor blend flour, xanthan gum, sugar, and salt.  Once blended add "butter" in 1 inch cubes and blend till it becomes a coarse crumbly mixture.  Add milk and egg yolk.  Continue until it comes together.  You don't want it to become too soft.  Press into a 10inch spring tart pan and poke around with fork.  Bake 15min or until lightly golden.  Melt butter on tart crust.  Drain strawberry juice into a saucer pan, melt butter, cinnamon, and vanilla. Allow to just begin to simmer. Pour into tart crust and set sliced strawberries on top.  Allow to chill at least 4hrs or until set.

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