Never Throw Away Your Pastry Scraps.
Maybe some of you remember the last Daring Baker Challenge with the Milk Chocolate and Caramel Tart? I saved my scraps of leftover chocolate shortbread crust and stashed them in the freezer. Since then, each time I got ice cubes, the scraps seemed quite forlorn, pining to fulfill their culinary destiny. So, today I used a small amount to make two tartlets. I like this shortbread dough because it tastes very good, and can be pressed into a tartlet or pie tin with your fingers, like Play Dough. No rolling required. After baking them for about 30 minutes at 325 degrees, I filled them with Greek yogurt (after they cooled, of course). Then I scattered some berries and sliced nectarines on top of the tartlets. They seemed a bit healthy, with the yogurt and fruit. Although the crust does contain butter, it required barely two tablespoons of the dough to make each tartlet. Most important, they were delicious. Greek yogurt, which I adore, makes a good substitute for pastry cream. And making just two tartlets kept the calories under control.
Note to self: Buy some of those fancy fluted tartlet pans.
What a lovely idea this was!
And a great use of leftovers!
Posted by: Jenny | September 18, 2007 at 06:02 PM
so pretty, i wish i had them for the FINALLY tonight!
Posted by: aria | September 18, 2007 at 06:30 PM
Gorgeous.
Posted by: Kalyn | September 18, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Beautiful idea! The tartlets look very colorful and artistic!
Posted by: Anh | September 18, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Truly lovely!
Posted by: Lydia | September 18, 2007 at 09:03 PM
Those look delicious (even without the fancy fluted tartlet pans!)
Posted by: Mallow | September 18, 2007 at 09:10 PM
They look delicious. What makes Greek yogurt different from other yogurts?
Posted by: Ursula | September 18, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Isn't that the truth. I never throw mine out. I have all these little balls of dough in the freezer and my husband always asks if he can throw them out...the nerve!
A much healthier tart than what it originally was made for!
Posted by: peabody | September 19, 2007 at 12:59 AM
Yummy-looking AND so pretty. I think these are practically a diet food!
Posted by: kristi | September 19, 2007 at 03:49 AM
How clever! I bet it went really well with the rich yogurt.
Posted by: Butta Buns | September 19, 2007 at 05:37 AM
Aww, woogy! They're so cute! I want one. Now.
Posted by: Shannon | September 19, 2007 at 09:07 AM
What a clever use for your delectable leftover pastry! These little tarts are so beautiful and colorful, you did a super job putting them together, I just love them!
Posted by: Belinda | September 19, 2007 at 09:17 AM
What a smart way to use leftovers! And they look so delicious too!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 19, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Gorgeous! What a great way to use those leftovers!
Posted by: Deborah | September 19, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Greek yogurt is my favorite~ not to sweet. I bet it is perfect and I would have never thought to use it for tiny tarts.
Posted by: sandi @ the whistlestop cafe | September 19, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Ahh greek yogurt a definite indulgence! I like the freeform appearance of this jovial tart...
Posted by: Callipygia | September 19, 2007 at 05:44 PM
I particularly like you shaped the crust, very country-style, no fuss!
Posted by: gattina | September 19, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Wow! Perfect use for the dough. Aren't you glad you saved it for a rainy day. No way would you want to make up a batch just for a couple of servings but this way it's easy and beautiful. Would love to have one right now.
Posted by: Glenna | September 19, 2007 at 07:39 PM
Those look good. Nice and simple and yet tasty with great looking fresh fruit.
Posted by: Kevin | September 19, 2007 at 07:48 PM
I never would if I thought I'd end up with something like that! Very pretty and I like the idea of using yogurt in place of pastry cream.
Posted by: Julie | September 20, 2007 at 04:23 AM
Awwww! They're so cute! And obviously healthy. Perfect for a nice lunch...and then you could still have dessert!
Posted by: Katie | September 20, 2007 at 12:14 PM
They're cute! I love that you just made enough to eat NOW. And the yogurt is a wonderful idea. The Greek yogurt is so yummy.
Posted by: Alisha | September 21, 2007 at 06:55 AM
So very cute and just making two is definitely better.
Posted by: sandeepa | September 21, 2007 at 11:45 AM
ooo..these look wonderful! wow! :)
Posted by: Maryann | September 21, 2007 at 05:36 PM
Aren't you the clever baker?! These look sinfully rich and delicious and I want some right now. :)
Posted by: Christine | September 21, 2007 at 05:44 PM