The credit for this sumptuous, tangy dessert goes to Zita Steyn, a graduate of the Natural Gourmet’s Chef Training Program. After having stumbled upon the recipe by chance, I was completely captivated by the elegant aspect of the individual scalloped edge tartlets with its creamy sea green filling dotted with the ubiquitous summer blueberry.
I immediately knew that I had to make this recipe. Upon scanning the list of ingredients, I became aware that everything going into it was raw and healthy. The crust was made up of sprouted buckwheat, coconut oil, cashews, unsweetened coconut flakes, Medjool dates, lemon zest and sea salt. The filling was made up of pecans, avocado, lemon and lime juice, honey, lemon oil, coconut oil and sea salt.
As for the equipment, although I possess many baking gadgets, individualized tartlet shells were not part of my baking repertoire. I had to venture out and invest in these elaborate little pie pans.
After shopping for the specifics, I gathered all the ingredients and set to work to try out the recipe. Although the finished product gave the impression that it was complicated, nothing could be further from the truth. The crust came together nicely as well as the filling. Upon assembling it, I couldn’t believe that it looked just like the picture in the recipe. Wow! I was really impressed to say the least!
As for taste, the crust had a delicate crunch and the filling was incredibly light, creamy and tangy and not overbearingly sweet. It seemed like the perfect ending to a mid summer’s evening dinner.
This recipe is gluten-free and vegan friendly. It is not appropriate for the Auto-Immune Paleo, Candida, GAPS, Low Histamine, Low FODMAPS or Paleo Ketogenic Diets. It is appropriate for the Gluten free, Vegan, Vegetarian and Weston A. Price Diets.
Yield: 6 Tartlets
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sprouted, dried buckwheat
- 1 1/2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 cup shelled, unroasted cashews, soaked for a few hours and drained
- Grated zest of 1 lemon, plus extra to serve
- 3/4 cup dry unsweetened coconut
- Pinch of sea salt
- 5 large soft Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
For the Filling:
- Scant 1 cup shelled, unroasted macadamia or pecan nuts, soaked for a few hours then drained
- 3/4 cup mixture of lemon and lime juice (about 2 large lemons and 3 limes)
- 2 large avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1/4 cup honey
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon good-quality lemon extract or a few drops of lemon oil
- 2 tablespoons liquid coconut oil
Procedure:
1. Blitz all the ingredients for the crust in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse, wet sand. Scrape out and press into 6 mini tart pans, 4 inch diameter. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
2. In a powerful blender, blend all the ingredients for the filling until very smooth. If using a regular blender, the result will not be quite as smooth, so you may want to strain the mixture through a strainer. Taste, and it if is too tart, add another tablespoon or two of honey, bearing in mind that the crust is sweet and offsets the filling beautifully.
3. Spoon the filling into the tart shells and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Carefully unmold each tart and serve with fresh blueberries and some fresh lime or lemon zest. They keep well in their pans in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Recipe excerpted with permission from Eat More Greens by Zita Steyn, published by Quadrille Publishing March 2017, RRP $24.99 hardcover.
Ilia Regini is a certified healing through food specialist, health supportive chef, culinary instructor, writer, blogger and speaker. Healthy Nourished Body offers chef service, cooking lessons, healthy kitchen makeovers and customized menu planning for healing through food dietary protocols. www.healthynourishedbody.com www.facebook.com/wellnourishedbody63 e: [email protected]
