Monday, February 04, 2008

Mini Apple Flower Tartlets

These tartlets are even smaller than a golf ball. Shaping the flower is really a breeze. What motivated me to bump my creative juice was due to the problem of juicy Granny Smiths. This type of apple no doubt can hold a good shape, but once cooked it releases too much juice. So I pre-cooked them first to let some juice out. Next was the fun part, just kept rolling up the apple slices (mine 7 slices in total), then, I got the flower.

I used commercially-made mini crusts, they were tiny, only 3 cm (less than 1.5 inches) in diameter. Such small size is good, so I didn't need to make the flower big, which actually looked more real to me, and easy to be held by the crusts.

To make the apple flowers: One big Granny Smith yields 3 - 4 flowers (for 3-cm mini tarts). Peel and quarter the apple, slice to 1/2-cm thick. Generously sprinkle white/brown/both sugar. Pre-heat a big skillet, cook the apple, with a bit of butter, rum and cinnamon for a few minutes until the slices slightly soften. Drain but keep the juice. When the apple slices are cool to touch, take about 7 slices and roll them up. Repeat to the rest.

To make the filling: simmer the apple syrup until it looks thicken. Mix it with ground walnut, a bit of heavy cream, a bit of flour, and more syrup if necessary.

To assemble: Fill the crusts half way with the nut filling, put one apple flower in. Sprinkle more suger and butter on top. Bake in a pre-heat oven in 350F temperature for about 20 minutes. In the last minutes you may grill them for better golden brown effect.

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38 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful!

Mishmash ! said...

"creative juice", could you pls bottle some of it and send it to me ?? so pretty!!!

Pooja said...

wow, i see Gattina, you are cooking nice dishes with apple , better for me to bring some apples and then start reading these posts , so if i carve of any on these i can try making it atleast :) .that apple flower is such a lovely creation by you .
thanks for sharing.

Suganya said...

Just roll the cooked slices? C'mon, there is something more to that. Skill, and you got it :)

Brilynn said...

You're so creative Gattina!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful idea! Thanks for teaching us all how to make the flowers!

Anonymous said...

These are absolutely gorgeous and you really should submit them (or another new creation) to the latest Mini Pie Revolution event (http://minipierevolution.blogspot.com/2008/01/mini-pie-revolution-2-small-tarts-have.html)

Anonymous said...

these are so gorgeous! perfect celebration dessert..

Gattina, I've tagged you for a meme (sorry) over at the puku.

:)

Anonymous said...

wow, these are gorgeous! a great celebration dessert..

Gattina, I've tagged you for a meme over at the puku (sorry)

:)

Callipygia said...

What a happy dessert- I could eat a whole bouquet of them!

Sharona May said...

Very nice and elegant.

Sharona May

Anonymous said...

those are very cute Gattina!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Wow! Sometimes you just want one bite of something sweet at the end of the meal, or with a cup of tea. These look perfect.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Breathtakingly beautiful! You are an artist!

cheers,

Rosa

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Oh, these are just adorable! What wonderful creations!

Evelin said...

what a lovely idea using such simple ingredients! I'm definitely bookmarking this idea to recreate it. there are enough times when the fridge seems to be just empty, but I have a need to prepare something special.
Thanks!

Katie Zeller said...

These are darling - and a great size!
I love your remark on the previous post - don't skimp on the good stuff. I never do. If I'm going to eat it, it has to be worthy...otherwise, it's the apple!

Gattina Cheung said...

chelley, thanks for your visit :)

Deborah, me too :)

Shn, you don't need mine sweetie, you already have the premium... can tell from your wonderful cakes and artwork :D

Pooja, you are welcome my friend!

Suganya, thanks for your sweet words! Not really only rolling... plus nibbling :P

Brilynn, thanks sweetie.

Hillary, you are welcome!

Ann, thanks for letting me know, am going to check it out!

thepuku, thanks for tagging me, but your link is broken, mind giving me one more time?

Calli, I love apple baked... another fact is I can't eat fresh apple... allegric.

Sharona May, thanks for your visit!

Eliza, thanks for the complement!

Lydia, exactly! Just something sweet to round up the great meal :)

Rosa, oh thanks, I am flattered!

aforkful, thanks for the complement!

evelin, mmm... must be for someone special as well :)

Katie, how true! Either the right thing or none!

Cakespy said...

Girl, you have outdone yourself! Gorgeous, creative and tres appetizing!

Anh said...

So pretty! I love those small tartlet shells too. I filled them with Dulce De Leche for my party in Xmas :) Not as pretty as yours though.

FH said...

Apple cream doughnuts and apple tart flowers!! Man. you are turning into a food artist!:))

Julie said...

Those are just beautiful, especially being mini! I love when I have a great idea in the kitchen that just works out. So, so cute!

Anonymous said...

These are so cute! And delicious too I'm sure :)

Anonymous said...

I always know that you will have something so beautiful and unique. These are so special!

Anonymous said...

Gattina! They are absolutely beautiful - and thanks for the information about how to make the apple flowers, I'll have to give that a try!

Cynthia said...

You would make me develop a sweet-tooth. Such beautiful creations. Just look at that apple flower tartlette!

Edith said...

These are such a beauty. Very interesting.

I have something for you. Check it out. http://preciousmoments66.blogspot.com/2008/02/tagged.html

In the meantime, Gong Hei Fa Choi.

Gattina Cheung said...

cakespy, thanks for your sweet words :D

Anh, I am sure yours must be pretty... and super-delish!

Asha, thanks sweetie!

Julie, petiti size always appeals to me... you know, just like our size *LOL*

Joey, thank you. Yes, they are very good, can't go wrong with butter and sugar!

Sher, thank you so much for the sweet words.

Ellie, happy trying. And let me know how yours turns out.

Cynthia, at least these tartlets can make me eat more apples... the fruit that I usually won't buy :)

Edith, oh how lovely to recieve the friendship tag from you! You are always so sweet!
And I almost forget about CNY. Kung-hei fat-choi (my Cantonese) to you too! Have a very prosperous new year!

Anonymous said...

They look soooo cute! Precious little tarlets. Congrats to the artist :)

Chris said...

Looks beautiful! Must add this to my minis list. Yum!

Anonymous said...

your pictures are great can i ask what is your camera? i search your meme's but could't find info about it.. Your recipes, are also very nice i like to try your cabbage pasta soon..

Kajal@aapplemint said...

these apple roses look so beautiful. Serve these to anyone and they will be eating out of your hand. Well done ... they deserve a big thumbs up

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Who knew Granny Smiths could look this good? Just lovely, Gattina.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Now those are just all Gattina. So pretty. So simple. Sooooo fabulous!

Ana said...

These are lovely, you are extremely talented!!
Can just imagine the flavors...!
Really pretty!
Ana

Mansi said...

These look absolutely gorgeous!:)

Deepa Kuber said...

yum!! this looks so awesome. cant resist my temptation..

KK said...

Loved ur blog..mind blowing recipes and amazing presentation..lovely