So as you’ve probably heard by now, I have this new friend named Julia.
Julia has a Meyer lemon tree.
Julia also has a plum tree.
Julia also made that lovely lemon tart for the Tuscan photo shoot we did not too long ago.
Want to know how to make it?
Well, you’ll have to ask Julia. But this is my version!
First you start off with the tart dough. It’s utterly simple. Butter, flour, salt, sugar…
…worked together with your fingers into various pebble sizes…
A beaten egg or dash of water if you prefer…
…Another mix with the fork this time…
…And you have a nice disc wrapped in plastic that gets popped into the freezer for 30 minutes.
These are my lemons. Don’t you love them?
The tart filling is also quite simple. You’ll see a lot of tart recipes out there using 1 lemon.
But that hurts my soul.
I used SIX.
Someone told me once (ehem, this guy in my book) that when eating a fruit dessert the aftertaste should be distinctly fruit, not sugar. Oftentimes the aftertaste of a fruit dessert is sugar though. Do you know why?
Sugar is cheaper.
But I cut back the sugar amount on my desserts so much that it would make my Puritan great-great grandmother proud.
So I used six lemons.
Five of them I chopped and put in a blender along with a bit of sugar and egg. I pulsed a few times.
Then I took my dough out and let it relax.
Then I hit it with a rolling pin and flattened it out.
I like rolling dough out onto cutting boards because all you have to do is flip it over onto the tart pan, rather than scrape it off of the counter.
This is particularly useful on a humid day when dough is not cooperating.
And if your dough is too soft from the humidity, it’s really alright.
Just press it into the pan and mold it yourself. No one will ever know.
Except me.
And I won’t tell.
Then you pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes more.
As a side note, if you want some extra big chunks of lemon in your tart, you can chop one of them by hand and add it to the blender at the very end.
Along with your melted butter.
It will look like this. Soupy and chunky at once.
Once it’s frozen, you’re going to prick the bottom of your tart shell with a fork and pre-bake the shell.
Then, once it’s partly cooked, you fill the shell with the liquid.
Add one last lemon on top, sliced however you please.
A sprinkle of sugar for glaze.
And pop her in the oven.
I put red nail polish on for the occasion, I was feeling fancy.
It lasted one day, and then it was back to reality.
This is what it looks like when it’s done.
Your kitchen will smell awfully good too.
Then, once it’s cool, you take it outside…
And then you sit down, and eat it for dinner.
“Meyer Lemon Tart”
Ingredients
Tart Dough:
Tart Filling:
Instructions
For the Dough:
For the Filling:
11 Comments
terraingarden
What a fantastic recipe! I can't wait to try this. You have beautiful photographs, excellent notes, and a wonderful presentation. Thank you for sharing!
wizzythestick
OMG that's not dinner that's lunch and breakfast too. That's soo good. I love pies that are nice and tart not to sugary.
Elizabeth
Wow that looks amazing! I still have yet to have ever had a meyer lemon…I guess they are just rarely exported to Canada. They must be so good they are hoarded down south. One day I will get to try one though….and this tart looks like a fantastic way to eat them!
Erika Beth
I am resolved to not use as much sugar now when making a dessert with fruit. I mean, it makes sense. You want the fruit flavor to dominate and fruit is full of sugar anyway. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
Amanda
That looks so pretty, bright and refreshing. Who doesn't like lemons during summer!
Andrew
Why Meyer lemons and not just lemons-lemons?
Georgia
You can use regular lemons if you please. Meyer lemons are less tart and more aromatic so they make for the best tart. But if regular lemons is what you have then go for it. You may need a bit more sugar is all.
Sophia
I've seen so many recipes lately for lemon desserts! So far, I think yours must be the best! The other one I really like is Ina Garten's Lemon Yogurt Cake – http://www.recipe4living.com/recipes/ina_garten_s… – What do you think? Thanks again for sharing this delicious lemon recipe!
Winnie
This is stunning. I have a bowl of Meyer lemons here just sent to me from a twitter friend in CA…would love to use some like this.
Becky
I made these in mini Square tart shells and put half a lemon slice on top
Very cute !!
Renee
This looks wonderful. Is the tart pan a 9 inch?