Tasty Little Frangipane Tarts
african vanielje on Feb 14 2008 at 2:48 pm | Filed under: Africa, baking, sweet kitchen
I have a weakness for Frangipane tarts that owes its origins, I suspect, to the name. Ever the romantic, I am swept up into a world of starched white linen and orange blossom scented monogrammed handkerchiefs just by the syllables fran-gi-pane dripping off my tongue. In my mind’s eye I can see the frangipane tree outside the kitchen door and my mom plucking off a fantastically scented blossom to float in a bowl on the kitchen table, as her mother did before her, and no doubt her grandmother too.
When we visit in summer, we inevitably drag some chairs and a little table out next to the frangipane tree to enjoy our morning tea. It’s the hottest spot in the garden, but the scent is sublime and a bygone era pervades the air.
I often make frangipane tarts, as my mom taught me, with orange flower scented almonds and whatever fruits are gracing my kitchen at the time. These little rebels were made with pistachio nuts instead, the pale green frangipane the perfect counterpoint to the deep red plums, their rich colour belying the pert sourness within.
For the colour alone, I would make these again. But the taste is worth it too, and they add a little easy sophistication to afternoon tea or even dessert. My daughter ate hers with 3 little melon-baller scoops of intensely vanilla homemade icecream and pronounced it ‘Perfect!’.
I agree. Perfect for my (belated) entry into the 2nd Mini Pie Revolutionstarted by Ann at Redacted Recipes. Her roundup should be up today.
For the recipe check the Vanielje Kitchen Cook Book ( vkcb ) or go straight to Pistachio & Sour Plum Frangipane Tarts in the sidebar.
Well done, girl, these tartlettes are so beautiful, with home made ice-cream - I will swap supper for them any day….
Oh yummm.
Oh yes, frangipane tarts have been one of my all time favorites since I discovered this almond delight many years ago. I’m excited to try it with pistachios and I totally agree about the color, especiall with those plums. To discover there is a frangipane tree with fragrant blossoms, I am truly transported to your mothers kitchen yet again through your charming description. Thank you.
As usual, your creations are works of art! A belated Happy Valentine’s Day to you. xx
Your tarts are absolutely beautiful works of art! The incredible setting you painted makes them sound even more delectable…
I’m tagging you to join the “Braisy Chain” if you haven’t already. Details at: http://swirlingnotions.com/swirling-notions-braisy-chain/
Participation optional, of course…
[...] creates Frangipane Tarts Right after I leave Valli’s house I am “pond jumping” to stay with Inge for a few [...]
Vey nice pictures for these sweet tartles!
OMG, pistachio frangipane!! You genius!! These look totally awesome and will definitely be gracing a lunch party table at my house this summer. As for your frangipani recollections, the frangipani tree was always my favourite tree in my parents’ garden, and still is. It is one of the trees from home that I miss the most. On our recent visit home, I lingered for hours around the one in ma-in-law’s garden and took some pics of the flowers which I really must get round to posting. I always wanted to have a pink one in my garden when I grew up - little did I know I’d be living in a country where they don’t grow… Ah well, there’s always frangipane tartlets to cheer me up