Thursday, May 16, 2013

Almond-Coconut Cream Tart
with spiced strawberry chutney
{V/GF}


Would you say you have pretty good self-discipline? 

Me? Not so much. 

Fact: I have about 6 thirfted clothing items to alter that have been sitting in my closet for over a year. 

Fact:I don't know how to sew.  But I still want that slightly large vintage dress because it's cute. 

Fact: I told myself this past week to start watching my sugar and carb intake. 

Fact: I ate 3 Krispy Kreme doughnuts this past week on Sunday. Yep. All in one day. Yep. I am ashamed but my word were they delicious. The worse part is I really want to get in the car right now, drive to the nearest grocery store and buy some peanut butter Oreos. 

Self-control. Heard of it? Apparently I have not.


To make matters even worse, I couldn't help but whip up these mini almond tarts filled with whipped coconut cream. How am I suppose to resist mini anything?! Mini means you eat as many as you want because they're so tiny the calories don't actually count.  

Yeah...I'm preeeetty sure that's right.

Oh the problems I bring upon myself.

It's okay. Let me just take a bite of this here mini tart and...yup there it goes. Problem gone. 

So let the recipe begin...  



First, place a can of full fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight. You're not new to the whipped coconut cream game...you knew this.
My coconut cream doesn't look as fluffy as usual because I didn't leave the can in the fridge long enough. I just wanted to dig in already! Another shining example of my strong willpower.
Next, get started on the strawberry chutney (recipe below). It's best if left in the fridge for at least an hour so the flavors can mingle. 



Once the coconut milk has reached it's full stay in the fridge and the strawberry chutney has been made, the rest is easy pretty easy. I wanted to make something without using flour so I decided to put my slivered almonds to use and make a cheesecake-like crust. Just process the almonds, mix in some melted butter and sugar, and you've got a crust! 

These are some pretty tasty tarts. 

Some quick notes...
*This recipe works with as little as 2 tablespoons of butter. For me, it just seemed to be a little more difficult to work with. Maybe I need to grind the almonds a bit more but I find that 3-4 tablespoons makes everything easier...and tastier. 
*I've made this with coconut butter before & it's delicious. But I do LOVE coconut & I usually just stick with 2 tbsp.
*For the non-vegans, this would also be tasty if you switch the coconut cream for mascarpone whipped cream.
*Adding coconut flakes to the crust will make a coconut-lover's dream. 


Strawberry Chutney
recipe adapted from here

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice & zest of one lemon
1 tbsp agave nectar
1/2" ginger, grated
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Bring all ingredients but the strawberries to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium & add strawberries. Cook stirring occasionally until thickens, about 10 minutes. Best if left in fridge overnight. 

Almond-Coconut Cream Tarts
{Gluten-free/Vegan}

2 cups blanched slivered (or whole) almonds
3 tbsp earth balance, melted
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. In a food processor, pulse the almonds to a nice crumb. Place almond crumbs in a medium bowl and mix in remaining ingredients. Form a crust by pressing the almond mix into the bottoms and sides of your tart pan(s), like making a cheesecake. Bake with foil on top for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes or until the crust turns a nice golden brown.

Whipped Coconut Cream
1 can of full fat coconut milk
2 tbsp powder sugar

Leave a can of full fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight. Spoon the hardened coconut milk layer from the top into a medium bowl. Be careful not to scoop any of the coconut water at the bottom of the can. Save the coconut water for future recipes. Add the powder sugar & with a hand mixer, whip the coconut milk until peaks form.

Spoon coconut cream into almond tart and top with chutney.

Enjoy!

10 comments:

  1. Ohmygoodness you are reading my mind. I was wanting to make something using both coconut and almond, and voila what do I find, this lovely recipe! I MUST make these they look delicious!

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    1. Thanks, Sarah. Great minds think alike. Your White Cheddar Mac & Cheese looks yummy!

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  2. Omg!! Be my friend??! These look delicious and you are hilarious! You're making me crave Krispy Kremes and peanut butter oreos now, thanks. The strawberry chutney/coconut whipped cream (I love how bright and white it is!)/almond tart combination sounds super heavenly.

    If I remember correctly, I think you're based in Austin right? My boyfriend and I have tentative plans to visit Austin sometime this weekend...do you know of any good concerts/events going on this weekend? I'm sure we'll find stuff to do but any recommendations you have would be so welcome! Also, I plan to lose all self-control and make multiple visits to Gourdough's. So you should join ;)

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    1. Thanks, Erika!!
      Yes, I'm in Austin...
      And you just invited me to Gourdough's...
      We are obviously friends now! ;)
      I just hope you'll remain my friend after you witness the way I inhale a doughnut. I'm not sure about shows this weekend but if I hear of any, I'll be sure to pass it along.

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    2. Oh man. I'm actually pretty sure I might be able to inhale a doughnut faster than you. So yup, def still friends. SO EXCITED FOR DOUGHNUTS. We're planning to come in Saturday and leave on Sun--are you free Sat night/Sun morning? If so, I will tag you on Instagram or something with frantic excitement when we head over and maybe we can meet up and simultaneously inhale doughnuts?!

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    3. That sounds like a plan! I can always find time for doughnuts so either Saturday night or Sunday morning works for me. I'm excited!!! Hooray for new friends & doughnuts!

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    4. Oh yay! Me too!! Okay my best guess at the moment is that we'll be going sometime Saturday night, maybe like 8 or 9ish...and hope that the doughnuts don't put us in a food coma for the rest of the night! But I'll tag ya on Instagram before we head over, in any case :) How far are you from that wondrous doughnut place?

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    5. Perfect! I'm only 15 minutes away. Not far at all... It's dangerous... ;-)

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  3. I have been wondering how to make whipped coconut cream and you answered my question!! These look amazing, I may need to try this as my next tasty sweet. Also - I have a bag in my closet full of thrift finds that need tailoring. I finally started on one, and I was so happy with how it came out, I have the momentum for the rest! Although, I don't have a machine, only a needle. So we shall see... :)

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    1. I hope you like em', Holly!
      I really need to just pick out one of my many thrifted shirts, and give it a go. Congrats on your accomplishment! Just looking at a sewing machine is daunting, so I think I'll keep it simple for now and start with only a needle. Let me know how your other projects go!! I may be bugging you for some tips... :)

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