Tuesday, March 16, 2010

TWD—Soft Chocolate Pistachio Tart and Sam’s Third Birthday!

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Howdy Ya’ll!  It’s the birthday boy!

We’re in Utah right now.  We got to see “our” house today.  (I say “our” in quotes, because technically, we haven’t completed the purchase yet, but I’ll let ya’ll know more soon!)  The home we are buying is in Eagle Mountain.  We LOVE it.  We drove out with the boys over the weekend and will be here during spring break.  It’s great to be back “home” in Utah. 

I knew we’d be out of town this week, so I made the tart(s) early last week before we left. I halved the tart dough and divided it between two 4 inch mini tart pans and had a little leftover, so I made a yummy shortbread cookie.  I used ground pistachios in the dough.  I was trying to “go green” for St. Patrick’s Day.  Great flavored dough!  I would make the sweet tart dough with pistachios again just to make shortbread cookies.  And I’d definitely do this again----

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Dipped in melted bittersweet chocolate, it was delicious.

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Since this was supposed to be soft chocolate pudding-like, I decided to make the full recipe for the chocolate and just put some in a pan without the crust.  I was thinking it would have been scoopable like pudding and I’d make little parfaits out of it.

I baked off the two tarts and forgot to photograph the rest of the chocolate I put in a bread pan.

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They looked nice and pudding-y before they baked.

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But I thought they were almost brownie-like after they baked.  It was not the consistency I really wanted.  Is this how it’s supposed to be?  Oh, by the way, I didn’t use raspberries because they are outrageously priced right now and although I really like the fruity-chocolate combo, Kevin really doesn’t.  I don’t know why I worry so much about that sometimes, as I’m pretty sure he didn’t even taste this.  He was gone the evening I made them.  The boys had some and liked it.  Not sure they would have really liked the raspberries with the chocolate.  But the pistachios were really good, so besides in the dough, I sprinkled some on top.

Then to stick with my green thinking, I decided to tint some whipped topping with some green food coloring (too lazy to whip my own again this time).  It’s a very pale green, but festive anyway.

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I think Scott ate half a tart and wanted more, but I wouldn’t let him.

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Parker ate a little.  Taylor took a bite and didn’t want any.  I think Sam ate a cookie instead.  Overall, I thought it tasted okay.  I probably wouldn’t make it again, I like (love) a chocolate ganache tart more.  Like that one we made with the caramel---Chocolate Crunched Caramel Tart from TWD a few months ago.

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So here’s what I did with the bread pan full of the “soft chocolate”--

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I made a S’mores Rocky Road “Parfait”.  It was pretty good.  Then I put the rest of the chocolate and half a tart in the fridge and we got busy doing lots of things and I threw it out before we headed for Utah after it sat for 3-4 days.  I know, crazy me.  We just got to getting ready for our road trip and it kinda got put by the wayside in the fridge. 

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So to wrap it up, thanks, Rachelle from Mommy?  I'm Hungry! because I do like to try all these different recipes and have fun with them and it WAS chocolate, so that worked for me! ;)  You can get the recipe on Rachelle’s blog.  Hey, check out all the other TWD blogger's tarts, too. 

It’s Sammie’s birthday!  I can’t believe he’s three.  He was just sitting on the couch earlier singing so cute out of nowhere, “Jingle bells, jingle all the way, how I wonder what you are.”  And he’s been walking around singing, “Hap Birtday, Hap Birtday.”  So darn cute.  I’ll post more about his birthday soon.  Here’s a quick preview of more to come as my parents are here in Utah and brought him a little gift.

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Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!  Grandma knew that one of Sam’s favorite books is Dinosaurs Love Underpants, so they gave him some dinosaurs.  He loves them.

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We are staying at Aunt Cindy’s while we’re here in Utah and I was sitting out on the front porch with Sam.  He picked up a little push broom and said, “This is a wittle broom for wittle people like me.”  Taylor came outside a few minutes later and wanted to use the broom, Sam looked at him with extreme seriousness and said, “Are you wittle enough to use this wittle broom?”  DADGUM CUTE!  You know I usually write up these posts on Monday night, so Sam’s birthday is really tomorrow (or today, Tuesday, however you want to look at it).  So tomorrow/today/Tuesday we’re going to the SLC Hogle Zoo.  Sam is quite excited.  He wuvs the zoo!  So am I, it’s supposed to be in the 60’s.  The day we got here on Saturday it was literally blizzard with 50 mph winds!  It blew right out of here on Sunday and today/Monday has been beautiful in the 50’s.  Spring is sprunging!

42 comments:

Rachelle S said...

Thanks for baking along with me this week! I love the pistachios you added! Sorry it didn't turn out quite how you planned. I wish the best in your new home, how exciting! I have lots of family in UT also.

mike said...

Happy Birthday to Sam! What a great birthday treat... everything looks fantastic. Chocolate and pistachios, now there's a combination. What creative outlets you have for the "leftovers" - I love that. Best of luck in the new "digs" Katrina!

Tia said...

happy birthday cutie pie! That first pic is so adorable! Great creativity with the smore parfaits!

Soy*Baby said...

Such an adorable boy. Hope he has a great birthday. The tart dough with pistachios sounds wonderful. The little tarts look great as does that giant parfait. Yummy.

Paula said...

The top picture of your little boy is so adorable!

I was a little surprised at the texture too but since yours looks a lot like mine I guess we did it right. :-) Good idea to use the pistachios.

Congratulations on your impending move.

Susan said...

Love the combination with pistachios! I think the leftovers look great too. Your little guy is a cutie.

chocolatechic said...

You totally ROCK!

Beautiful.

Happy birthday to your little man.

♥peachkins♥ said...

mmmmmmm...delicious!

Amanda said...

Oh happy birthday little Sam!!! I just wanna give him a big hug, he's so CUTE!

Your tarts look fabulous of course ;) I'm glad you got to see your house, excited for you!

Cristine said...

Happy birthday to your little guy. Your tart looks great!

Hindy said...

Oh, 3 - the age of dinosaurs! How I miss it. Happy day to your little guy!
My chocolate filling was more like a cream pie consistency. Everyone seems to have day different results. Love all your variations! Nothing gets wasted.

Megan said...

I think I would make that dough for the cookies too. Tey look awesome. I'm with you, I'd rather have a soft pudding like center over a brownie like one. But everything looks delicious!
Happy Birthday to your wittle guy!!! Have a great time at the zoo. :)

Megan said...

I think I would make that dough for the cookies too. Tey look awesome. I'm with you, I'd rather have a soft pudding like center over a brownie like one. But everything looks delicious!
Happy Birthday to your wittle guy!!! Have a great time at the zoo. :)

Fallon said...

awww Happy Birthday Sam!!

I love how when you bake something.. you always turn it into something else. Like the s'mores parfait. LOL

Jessica of My Baking Heart said...

All of your variations look so yummy! :) Happy Birthday to Sam - hope y'all are having fun!!

Mimi said...

Happy Birthday Sam!
Your tart looks great along with your very creative variation of the recipe. I planned on skipping this one, well it's still Tuesday and I might make it.
I'm so happy that you found a house. Looking forward to the details. Enjoy Sam's special day.
Mimi

Leslie said...

Sam is too CUTE! I love when they get so serious and you have to keep a straight face when you want to crack up.

Your tart looks great, even without the raspberries, but I totally agree that it didn't hold a candle to the chocolate crunched caramel tart. That's one of my top 5.

AmyRuth said...

Happy Birthday Sam you sweet little one. The apple of your Mommy's eye. The chocolate tart 3 or 4 ways wowza. I love pistachios too. Great idea.
AmyRuth

noble pig said...

Happy Birthday!! Such a sweet smile! And wow that tart all those ways...save me!

CDC said...

happy birthday to sam! i think the pictures of the tart look great - i love pistachios and chocolate. i'll have to play around with it and see what i come up with:) thankyou for giving me the inspiration!

Nickki said...

Happy birthday Sam! What cute pictures. I love your chocolate pistachio tart, what a brilliant combination. I love the rocky road parfait you made - what a dessert!

Patty said...

Happy Birthday, that chocolate crunch caramel tart looks amazing!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to Sam! He's so cute :) My neighbor's son is 2 1/2 and absolutely loves dinosaurs!!

Great job on the tart but sorry to hear it wasn't quite what you'd hoped. Lots of delicious treats over here as always!

Cooking Foodie said...

Happy Birthday Sam!

I think the tarts look great, though they werent quite as you planned them...

Art and Appetite said...

Happy birthday Sam!

I love pistachios--too bad they are so expensive here. This looks soo good, oooh, please make me stop from drooling. Hehe.

Valen said...

Cute kids! That shortbread looks so good, too good!

The Sugar Fiend said...

I've been reading Anna's and your blog for so long, I can't get over how big your baby boy looks! I loved dinos too at his age.

The tart looks so elegant, and yet so whimsical with the green whipped cream--the two different versions really show the two sides of your baking personality.

Congrats to BYU's upset--I'm biased because I picked them in my NCAA pool to beat Florida, but got really choked up (no kidding) when during half time they were talking about how the coach had pancreatic cancer and survived, and all of the team members made 'charity pledges' to the community, to show how happy they were he pulled through. Sorry I don't have them going to the next round, though.

eatme_delicious said...

Ooo that tart looks good. And I love how you made such delicious things with the leftover dough and filling. I love rocky road anything!

eatme_delicious said...

Oh and happy birthday to your boy. =)

Kerstin said...

Now that's a gorgeous tart! Happy Birthday to your little one!

Sarah Beck said...

congrats on your move! Your house looks gorgeous and your treats look divine as always!

Unknown said...

That first picture of Sam is heartbreakingly adorable!!! The tart sure looks good, and pistachio seems like a great addition :)

Oh, Belated Happy Birthday, Sam!

Teanna said...

Man if I was ever at your house when desserts are around I'd be in BIG TROUBLE! Love the pistachios, love the green topping, love the cookie! Happy birthday to Sam! Good luck with the move!

Kayte said...

Hippo Birdie 2 Ewe, Hippo Birdie 2 Ewe, Hippo Birdie Deer Sam, Hippo Birdie 2 Ewe! Hugs from all of us to you!

lina said...

Happy Birthday Sam :)

This is the first post I saw in your lovely blog and 16th Mar. is my birthday too.

I am enjoying your yummy amazing recipes and pictures of your hansome adorable boys :)

Congratualtions on your new home !

Cindy said...

Here I am on a diet-until I came across your blog. Yum, please keep the yummy recipes coming.

Heather said...

I love how you made such delicious things with the leftover dough and filling.

Carrie said...

I am enjoying your yummy amazing recipes and pictures of your hansome adorable boys.Congratualtions on your new home.

Becky said...

Wow, I'd rather have a soft pudding like center over a brownie like one. But everything looks delicious, thanx.

Sadie said...

The cookies are delicious, though I noted that the baking time can be off by a few mintues. It roughly took me 14 to 15 minutes to get them properly done. 5 drops of food coloring is also not enough to notice a green colour in the cookies when the baking is done.

Allison Clark said...

My tooth is aching for the sweets I am seeing (LOL) The tart dough with pistachios sounds wonderful. The little tarts look great as does that giant parfait. Yumm!

ondo said...

Well, I like how you have a photo for each step, it makes it easier to understand. thanx for the share.