Good food, good company and good conversation continued...
This desert was a total experiment. I wanted something fresh and simple but couldn't think of what. In a similar way I also wanted to stick with just a few flavours to make them sing in the dish. So here was the result. A lemon and maple set yoghurt tart.
The base is my favourite bit. It is so so delicious! I used dates and pecans, which is the more expensive combo, but you could substitute with any other nut really. Cashews will work well and give a more cookie-like taste as opposed the delicious caramel taste. I kid you not, it it tastes insanely good. I said out loud to myself 'I can't believe this is healthy!!' The base alone I could eat with a spoon out of the food processor - try it!
The filling is simply natural yoghurt, maple syrup or honey, gelatine and lemon.
Set Lemon and maple yoghurt tarts
Serves 4
(notes and variations below the method)
Ingredients:
6 dates
1 cup pecans (or any other nut)
1tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
8 tbsp greek yoghurt
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 leaves gelatine
Method:
In a food processor pulse the nuts until they look like breadcrumbs. Alternatively bash with a rolling pin in a freezer bag. Add the pecans and syrup (if you want to make it sweeter, I find I don't need it) and blitz until combined but still has some texture. Alternatively use a blender to combine if you haven't got a food processor.
Whilst resisting the temptation to eat all the mixture out of the bowl push the pecan-date base into 4 ramakins and refrigerate.
Next soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 5 minutes. Mix the yoghurt, syrup and lemon juice in a bowl.
Squeeze out the gelatine and add 1/4 cup boiling water to it and mix to dissolve. Whilst stirring continuously mix the gelatine into the yoghurt mix.
Pour into the ramekins with the base in and then leave to set in the fridge for about 4 hours.
Drizzle with maple syrup, garnish with a pecan and serve.
Notes and variations
Sweetener: Maple syrup can be replaced with honey in all these recipes.
Additions: You can make caramelised pecans by boiling maple syrup until the hard ball stage is reached and then dip in pecans - a delicious topping!