I just can’t get enough of our local strawberries. The season will last another ten to twelve days depending on weather and I feel compelled to eat them in one form or another on a daily basis. I think that part of the enjoyment is the knowledge that the season is short, and when it’s over, we won’t have these treats for another year.
Family came over for dinner yesterday and I needed a quick strawberry dessert. I bought a good supply of little baked and unbaked tart shells on a recent trip into Portland. Helen Bernhard’s Bakery (by the Lloyd Center) has been around forever, and they carry special items like these little tarts, so handy to have in the freezer for occasions like this. I have a terrific fruit stand down the street so can buy just picked berries. Making a dessert couldn’t have been easier.
I made a basic pastry cream, let it cool, and folded in some whipped cream to lighten it up. I crisped up some of the small baked pie shells in a 300 degree oven for five minutes. When cool I spooned in some cream filling, topped the tarts with sliced strawberries, and then drizzled a little heated strawberry preserves over the top. I add a dollop of whipped cream just before serving, but I wanted you to see how beautiful the tarts are without it.
Everybody loved the dessert. There’s something wonderful about the combination of flaky pastry, cream filling and ripe strawberries. I may just have the last one for breakfast.
Nothing like a fresh strawberry tart..And why not for breakfast, it's fruit isn't it?
They look delicious, Cathy..
Did you try the STRAW trick??
I did indeed, Kathleen. I was thanking you while I was preparing the berries. It really is a time saver, and the berries are so pretty when you don't chop a chunk of the top.
I'm sure everyone at my house would love them too! Wish I had a wonderful fruit stand close to me.
These tarts are a dream:D
would love to sink my teeth into one of your tarts Cathie.
These are lucious looking tarts, Cathy! You are so fortunate to have a stand nearby.
Our strawberry season has been over a couple of weeks now. 🙁
But, I will still buy the california berries as long as they are decent, because I have to have a fix! Strawberries are one of my favorite foods, I just wish the season lasted longer!
Those are so nice! I'm sad that I haven't got out to pick strawberries yet. I need to get on it!
Your tarts look delicious, Cathy. Your photo is spectacular!
Oh my, those look scrumptious, Cathy! I wish I had such a great source for tart shells.
:Delicious Trat Perfect for Summertime Patio Partie.
Thanks for shraing your recipe!
Welcome~~~
http://foodcreate.com
Have a great Day!
Beautiful, Cathy. I love, love, love strawberries, and what a wonderful way to use them!
I would jump for joy if this little dessert was placed in front of me. Mini anything always tastes better!
What a scrumptious looking tart Cathy. I love how glistening the strawberry look like here.
Oh my goodness, these are just scrumptious looking! I love fresh strawberries in my pastries!
I want one…NOW!!!!
Yummmmmmm………..
Looks absolutely delicious! I went overboard and made 6 quarts of homemade strawberry ice cream, so I understand where you are coming from. Keep sharing your great recipes with us!
Oh, these are gorgeous! We get super great local strawberries, too, and these would be the perfect way to highlight them!
There is all kinds of wonderful about this combination! Another eye pleasing & belly pleasing dish 🙂
These are so lovely! The tower of strawberries is gorgeous! I adore desserts that come in petite sizes like this. You make it sound so easy saying stuff like "I made a basic pasty cream!" Yikes! 🙂 What's a basic pastry cream? Hard to tell that I'm clueless about baking! I'd gladly eat these, though. Perhaps more than one! Make that definitely more than one! 🙂
These look simply wonderful! We are so blessed in this region with those beautiful little local berries.