French Berry Torte Food

CLASSIC FRENCH FRUIT TART

Steps:

• Make the Crust: Complete the pâte sucrée through baking and cooling.
• Make the Pastry Cream: In a medium pot, heat the milk until just boiling. Remove the pot from heat. While the milk is warming, in a heat-proof mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Whisk until the mixture is very smooth and has lightened in color, about 2 minutes. Whisking constantly, add about a quarter of the hot milk into the egg mixture. (This is called tempering. Tempering the eggs helps raise their temperature without cooking them, and helps emulsify them into the milk.) Pour the milk-tempered egg mixture into the pot of the remaining milk. Whisk to combine. Return the pot to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly to prevent "scrambled eggs," especially on the sides and bottom, until the magic happens and the pastry cream thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in the butter and vanilla and cook one minute more, whisking constantly. The pastry cream should make thick, lazy bubbles. (See note below if you see any coagulated bits of egg in your custard.) Pour the thickened pastry cream into a clean, shallow bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and push it down in the bowl so it sits directly on the surface of the pastry cream. This prevents a skin from forming on top. Chill until cold, a few hours (or up to 2 days before serving).
• Assemble the Tart: Remove the tart ring and transfer the tart shell to a serving platter. Whisk the chilled pastry cream until smooth, then spread it evenly into the tart shell using an offset spatula. Arrange a generous amount of fruit over the pastry cream in your desired design. In a small saucepan, heat the apricot jam with 1 tablespoon of water over medium heat, whisking, until thin. (Alternatively, heat it in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds.) If the jam is especially chunky, strain it through a sieve. Use a pastry brush to gently dab the fruit with a thin layer of apricot glaze. Chill until ready to serve.
• Note: Avoid melon and other fruit with high moisture content, like sliced citrus. These will wilt quickly and seep moisture into the pastry cream. Also avoid oxidizing fruit like apples and bananas; these fruits will turn brown. Berries should be fully dried after rinsing (raspberries should not be washed) and strawberries should be sliced.
• Note: If you see any coagulated egg bits in your finished custard, strain the hot pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: The pastry cream can be made up to 2 days before serving. The tart can be assembled and refrigerated up to one day before serving.

BLUEBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Mix graham crackers, butter, and white sugar together in a bowl; press mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Chill crust until firm, about 1 hour.
• Beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Fold in whipped topping.
• Spread cream cheese mixture evenly onto crust; top with blueberry pie filling. Chill until firm, 4 hours or overnight.

HEAVENLY BLUEBERRY TART

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Add vinegar, tossing with a fork to moisten. Press onto bottom and up the sides of a lightly greased 9-in. tart pan with removable bottom. , For filling, lightly smash 2 cups blueberries in a bowl. Combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir into smashed blueberries. Spread mixture evenly into crust; sprinkle with 1 cup of the remaining whole blueberries. Place tart pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 400° for 40-45 minutes or until crust is browned and filling is bubbly. Remove from the oven; arrange remaining berries over top. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

FRENCH BLUEBERRY TART

Steps:

• Place a yogurt strainer or a mesh strainer lined with a fine cheesecloth or coffee filter over a jar to catch the whey and place the yogurt into the prepared strainer; place the jar(s) in the refrigerator and allow to drain for 24 hours.
• Prepare the tart shell as directed and allow to cool.
• While cooling, prepare the blueberry topping by placing half the blueberries, lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch, sugar and water in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a boil and cook until thickened and clear; stir in the remaining berries; set aside and allow to cool until it just warm to the touch.
• Place the strained yogurt in a medium mixing bowl, whisk in powdered sugar.
• Spoon the sweetened yogurt into the cooled tar shell and top with blueberry topping.
• Place in refrigerator and allow to sit until thoroughly chilled.

EASY BERRY 'TORTE'

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Mix cookie crumbs, nuts and butter; press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 5 min.; cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended; spread onto bottom of crust. Top with berries.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.