Saturday, September 3, 2011

Fig Tart

Many years ago when we planted our garden we absolutely wanted a fig tree in front of the house. When you live in Vaison la Romaine you don't have to think twice where to go for your fig tree: we are very lucky to have Baud, one of the best known (as in internationally best known) fig nurseries right on our doorstep.
So we went to see Monsieur Baud and tasted I don't remember how many varieties of figs, chose the tree, planted it and waited. And waited. And waited. And then got real excited about a measly five or six figs. But this year: OMG! We are drowned in figs! Nice dark little juicy wonderful figs! So I have been cooking fig jam, giving figs away, eating fresh figs for breakfast and today, for the first time I have baked a fig tart.


Actually I am a little bit proud of myself because I improvised the recipe: Because I didn't have much time I took a readymade shortcrust pastry and blind baked it for 10 minutes. I then halved the figs and snugly fitted them into the prebaked shell, drizzled honey and sprinkled a handful of chopped pecan nuts on top and dusted everything with a little bit of cinnamon. Almost as an afterthought I cut some tiny flecks of salted butter all over the figs and baked the tart at 180°C/360°F for 20 minutes.
My guinea pigs approved.

12 comments:

  1. I think figs are the absolutely most fabulous fruit in the world! What a yummy-looking tart this is!

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  2. That tart looks delicious! How many years it take for your fig tree to produce figs? I wish we had the garden to plant fruit trees. We will have to enjoy vicariously through your pictures.

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  3. I have a fig tree.I both a few on the market to be comapny to an very old fig tree that was already in the garden when I moved in.
    After a year barely 60 cm tall it produced 7 figs;))And
    tart here is absolutely delicious:))

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  4. A most delightful dessert - one of the guinea pigs!

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  5. Susan, Claudia, Michel, Dzoli and my dear guinea pig: Thank you all for your nice comments!

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  6. My friend and I planted a fig tree in his garden a couple of years ago and we are yet to see it produce any figs, or even grow properly for that matter. Your story gives me hope :-)
    Wonderful photo - I LOVE figs!

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  7. Nathalie, we made the mistake of watering our tree for the first two years - now that we have seen the error of our ways and force the tree to build deep roots it is florishing and giving us all those wonderful figs.

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  8. shortcuts are ok......there is a delicious filling in that pastry! Yes, try the cherry tomatoes~have done it both ways!

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  9. French Home Decor: Thank you for stopping by!

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  10. Lovely tart! I don't have a fig tree, but I've been buying them like crazy here at the pazar.

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