Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Guest Post: Mango, Orange and Ginger Tarte Tatin from Jill Colonna

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Today is my birthday! I have never been big on celebrating my birthdays. I love planning surprises for others, but hate being surprised myself. So year after year, I am extra cautious and even a little sneaky, and try to detect surprise plans so I can ruin them. Yes, I know! I am horrible. But this year, my very clever friends, along with my sneaky husband managed to surprise me by throwing me a party two days before my birthday! Devious, I say! I didn't have a clue what was happening and walked right into it! I ended up having a nice time with everyone, and even had a lovely homemade birthday cake baked my friend who knows exactly what I like. A yummy butter cake with fresh strawberry glaze and more fresh strawberries on top. She was so embarrassed that the cake had a small 'accident' and cracked down the middle, but I didn't care! It was so yummy! She is such a good cook and baker, that I think she should consider blogging too - just to share her gorgeous recipes with the world!
Homemade cake is the best kind, isn't it? :)

Congrats to my husband, and all my friends for managing to pull this one off! :) Oh - and thanks, too! Then, last night at midnight, I was woken up to find another bunch of friends from church hiding in the dark waiting to surprise me with a cake. I was very touched that they took the time and effort to come at that part of the night in the cold. Very sweet! I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I pray to God that I never forget that. And that I never stop being thankful.

This year, I resolved that I would celebrate my birthday on my blog with all my new friends. God has been exceedingly good to me, and I thank God for adding another year to my life.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, this month is also my blog's birthday, and I cannot believe that a year has flown by already. The best part of starting this blog has been the wonderful friends I've made since I've started, and one of the best friends I have made in the blogosphere is the wonderful Jill Colonna. She is one of the nicest, funniest, most genuine people I have had the honor of meeting. She has been so supportive through some tough and challenging times I faced this year. I am so grateful for Jill! She's awesome. And I don't have to tell any of you what a fabulous writer, musician, cook, baker, blogger, wife, mom and all-round champ she is! Undoubtedly the Queen of Macarons, her blog on the Mad about Macarons website also features many more amazing, mouth watering recipes from Jill's kitchen. I still can't believe I'm friends with a celebrity and best-selling author! :)

It is totally an honor for me to have Jill guest-posting on my blog for my birthday! I am so honored! She has made something totally amazing, and I think I will stop rambling and let Jill take over. Ladies and gentlemen, Jill Colonna! :)

Mango, Orange and Ginger Tarte Tatin: Guest Post by Jill Colonna of Mad about Macarons
Tatin! Joyeux Anniversaire from Paris, Marsha! 


I just couldn't make this tarte big enough for my lovely friend, Marsha. You see, it's her birthday. It's also her first blogoversary approaching this month, and shehas given me the total honour of being a guest on The Harried Cook, to join her birthday celebrations.


Marsha is the sweetest blogger I've virtually met. She's adorable (I'm saying that with a French accent, so imagine it as adorrrraaaaable, with a rolled 'R'- it sounds so much better) and fun. Can you imagine her lucky husband and daughter, sampling her latest creations such as honey and sesame bread, and lemon-lime meringue pie (another great egg yolk recipe!) Speaking of which, do you remember her Mad About Macarons guest post to use up these egg yolks with that incredible Strawberries and Cream Mousse Pie, using a Pâte à Bombe method? Marsha  says she's harried, but I admire how she juggles her job and home life, plus manages to fit in moving house like a warm Indian breeze.
What is this for a birthday cake, you ask? Well, in our house we don't really eat cake.We eat macarons... and right now we're eating so many tarte tatins. It's the season, as the humble apple is the basis of the classic French Tarte Tatin. It's our winter version of eating the recommended daily portions of fruit. I guess it's healthy, even if there is a touch of butter and sugar - just to carmelise it, you understand.


When I was newly married, my French Mother-in-Law would produce the most sumptuous Tarte Tatin for dessert. I was in awe. It sounded grand and looked complicated. How could I possibly return home and make this for Antoine without goofing up? She had given me the recipe and told me it was dead easy. Hey, am I supposed to believe everything she tells me? So, I went home and made anything but Tarte Tatin since I had no courage. Then one day I saw it in a French magazine and saw how quick it was to make. A no-brainer. That's me. That's my Tarte Tatin. It's the same syndrome as macaron-making, don't you think? Picture Julie Andrews singing, "I have confidence in me"!


The Tatin sisters, who ran a restaurant at the start of last century in the Sologne region, gave the dessert its name. The story goes that as the apples were cooking they realised they'd forgotten the pastry, so they simply stuffed the pastry on top then flipped the tart upside down and Mon Dieu, look what turned up?
For Marsha's Tarte Tatin, I picked mangoes, as they're now appearing on our market stalls, although Marsha quite rightly told me the best ones are from India (these ones are from Peru.) And as the oranges are at their best just now, I couldn't resist adding a touch plus a glow of fresh ginger to spice up our present sub-zero temperatures around Paris.


Mango, Orange & Ginger Tarte Tatin Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approx.45 minutes
Ingredients
2 mangoes, firm but sweet
1 tsp orange juice
125g light brown sugar
70g unsalted butter
1 tbsp zest from an untreated orange
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 ready-prepared round of puff pastry
Utensil 
A good non-stick cake pan that can transfer to the oven (I just used a non-stick frying pan with removable handle)
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Heat the sugar and butter in a cake pan, adding the teaspoon of orange juice. Peel and cut the mangoes into slices and pack them closely together in the pan. Add the orange zest and the ginger. Cook over a medium heat for about 20 minutes - or until you see a deep golden caramel forming underneath the fruit.
3. Place the round of puff pastry on top of the fruit and tuck it in around the edges of the pan. Prick the pastry and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly for about 10 minutes. Place a large plate (preferably one that dips slightly in the middle to catch the juices) upside down on the tart and flip it over. Tatin!
Happy Sweet Birthday, Marsha, and congratulations on your first blog anniversary!

There! Didn't I tell you Jill is funny? She is such a sweetheart and that tarte tatin is so amazing looking. I only wish she could send me slice! I can't wait for mango season to get here so I can try this recipe myself!

I love Jill and I highly recommend becoming a regular visitor on her blog, and buying her awesome book if you haven't already done that! Merci, Jill, for being such an awesome friend, and fantastic guest poster!

Tomorrow, we start Red Velvet Fest for Valentine's Day. I've had some hits and some misses with my Red Velvet creations, and I can't wait to share them all with you!
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57 comments:

Jill Colonna said...

Happy Birthday, my friend.  Marsha, you've gone into overdrive - you make me sound like somebody even I'd like to meet! You wouldn't like to know me first thing in the morning, I can tell you.  So glad to hear you have received birthday cakes galore - you deserve it, girl.  It is such a pleasure knowing you. Thank you for letting me ramble on your site. You know I'm a great fan of yours. Cheers to you, the family, and an even greater year ahead, full of exciting adventures. This is going to be a wonderful year for you. Hugs, J xo

Liam @ Is Butter a Carb? said...

Brilliant! This is fantastic! I can practically taste the flavours just looking at the photos! Great post ;)

ping kay said...

Oooooh, lucky you! and Happy Birthday! Well, this is also the month of my birthday but I'm not telling :D 
Two gorgeous cakes, gorgeous friends, gorgeous family, just gorgeous!! I love the story of how the tartin got its name ... hilarious! Sounds like something I'd do ... forget the most important part of the recipe! LOL! Imagine a roast chicken and I  forget the chicken! 

Maureen said...

Happy Birthday Marsha.  After reading Jill's guest post I'm in awe of all you do.  The mango and orange tarte tatin looks absolute magnificent and I must make one - with or without the candle. 

Liz said...

Happy, happy birthday!!!  I'm so glad you didn't have to make your own birthday cake this year :)

And, Jill, I love tarte tatin! Your mango version looks just amazing. YUM!!!

Eva Toneva said...

Amazing dessert! Happy birthday, Jill! :)
 

Kiri W. said...

Happy Birthday! :)
What a wonderful birthday tarte, amazing job, Jill! You always make the most sophisticated treats :)

Priscilla M said...

Happy birthday!!
Now where's my slice? LOL

Tiffany said...

What a great guest post!

Tina@flourtrader said...

Happy birthday and blogoversary, Marsha!  It is pretty smart your friends doing the birthday celebration early.  Glad to see the talented Jill guest posting for you!  The tart does look amazing and I will have to say that the prep time made my jaw drop-10 minutes...10 minutes for a stunning creation-you bet I am saving this recipe!.  Delicious post.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Happy Birthday Marsha and Happy 1st Birthday to The Harried Cook!  How wonderful it is to have Jill bring her delicious dessert for the celebration!  She's the perfect person to celebrate it right with her gorgeous mango tarte tatin!!!  I can easily eat half of that by myself!!!  Hope you have a fabulous day Marsha!  xoxo

Sandra's Easy Cooking said...

Happy Birthday!!!!! Best wishes dear!!! 
Jill you did amazing job and Marsha is so right about you!!! Beautiful dessert and so delicious looking!!! Wishing you both fantastic rest of the week!!!

Jill | Dulce Dough said...

Happy Birthday!!  Jill's tarte tatin looks amazing--certainly a wonderful way to celebrate!  

Jill said...

Aha, Kiri - that's what's deceiving. It's gourmet - sophisticated perhaps - but it's SO EASY and a real treat. 

Jill said...

Yep, no joke Tina. This one is handy to impress last minute dinner guests. You just need the puff pastry stocked in the fridge and you're singing. Forgot to mention that some people serve with crème fraîche but honestly, with the juices in there you just serve it on its own. 

kschwarting said...

Happiest of birthdays to you!  And look at the cake Jill made for the occasion...just gorgeous, and a lovely variation on the traditional apple tarte tatin.

Amy at Fragrant Vanilla Cake said...

Happy Birthday!  And Jill, wonderful guest post!  This looks so good :!)

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Jill, I didn't say anything about you that I don't sincerely believe to be true! :) Thank you so much for your wishes and most of all for making this day even more special to me! I really appreciate you... God bless you! Thanks for this gorgeous tart tatin :)

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

It is a pretty awesome looking tart, isn't it? I agree! Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you, Ping! I am truly blessed! You should share your birthday with us so we can celebrate with you! :) And LOL @ roast chicken minus the chicken! :) Haha... Sounds like something I am capable of!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thanks, Maureen! Jill is too kind :) And I agree - this tart tatin is a must make! Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you, Lizzy! I am truly blessed and grateful for it! :) And I agree - Jill's tart tatin = YUM! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Amazing dessert - I agree! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you so much! Jill really makes some amazing stuff, doesn't she? Love her food... and her, of course! Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

I'm asking the same thing! :) Thanks for stopping by and for the wishes! :)

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

True. Jill is a great guest! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thanks, Tina! :) Yeah my friends were pretty sneaky :) And I am so honored that Jill posted for me today! I am blessed to have so many wonderful things on my birthday... and 10 minutes! I know! It is amazing... Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you, Nami! I know... I am really happy to have Jill over! I agree, and I can eat the other half easily! :) Thanks so much for your wishes and for stopping by! :)

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you so much, Sandra! And I am glad you agree about Jill! :) Thanks for stopping by and I wish you the same :)

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thanks, Jill! I agree! It is such a yummy dessert... Can't wait to make it myself! Thanks for stopping by!

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you so much for your wishes... and I agree - the tart tatin is just gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Marsha@The Harried Cook said...

Thank you, Amy! :) Jill's tart tatin does look great :) Thanks for stopping by! :) 

Happy When Not Hungry said...

Wow this looks beautiful!  Love the flavors too.  Yum!

Kim Bee said...

Happy Birthday and Happy Blogiversary as well. We are lucky to have you amongst the blogging community. You are a treasure. xx

Jill- This was a lovely guest post. I love that you did a tarte tatin. And mango to boot, so creative. My guess is the orange, mango and ginger combo was incredible. I would also venture to say the aroma was probably out of this world. Glad you helped Marsha celebrate.

Elisabeth@foodandthrift said...

Happy Birthday, Marsha!...Happy Blog Anniversary!
Such an amazing birthday celebration you had with such yummy and pretty cake, and Jill's superb Tarte Tatin with the mango slices. Absolutely stunning, and oh, so delicious!

Marsha, you are such a sweet and wonderful friend to all...and to have Jill as a friend, is just so fortunate for both you, and her!
Jill, you did an outstanding job on Marsha's birthday dessert, Congratulations to you, and Marsha. What an outstanding and beautiful guest post!
xoxo

Lynne Feifer said...

Happy Birthday, Marsha and congratulations on your blogiversary!!!!!  Woo Hoo!!  It sounds as though you thoroughly enjoyed your cakes.  I hope you enjoyed your day just as much and that in the upcoming year you are blessed with health, joy, laughter and an abundance of love!!  It is so great to have you back!  BIG hugs!!
Great guest post, Jill!  This looks amazing and I can't wait to check our your site, and I'm thinking a new cookbook purchase is in order!!

Kim - Liv Life said...

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!  And is sounds as though you really did have a wonderful day.  And a surprise all the way from France?  And from Jill??  And with Mangoes!??!!  A truly wonderful celebration.  Beautiful treat Jill!  I've not made a Tatin of my own, but I have had them and truly love them.  I think I need to try my hand at it!

StillServedWar. said...

This looks delicious!!!!!

Rachel@MyNaturallyFrugalFamily said...

Such a gorgeous tarte..I am sure the flavors are just out of this world!

Marysol said...

 What a thoughtful  friend.
Marsha, I had to drop in and wish you a Happy Belated Birthday! And congratulate you on your first blog anniversary!
Needless to say, the mango tart  would make any day a celebration! :)

Kimby said...

Happy Birthday, Marsha, Happy Upcoming Blogiversary, too, and thanks for a lovely guest post, Jill!  I love to hear about friends getting together to celebrate life's special moments! :)

Motherrimmy said...

Happy Birthday! The cake and the tarte look incredible. There's nothing better than friends willing to bake for you. :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you Nami! :) I too am thrilled to have Jill guest posting... :) I only wish I could have her ship that tart over to me! :) Thank you for the wishes and for stopping by! 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you so much! Jill is so good :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you Kim! I am so happy to be part of this wonderful community... I have 'met' such lovely people like Jill and of course, you... Thank you for stopping by and making me feel good :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Elisabeth! :) I really appreciate the sweet wishes... and yes, Jill sure did an outstanding job! I couldn't be happier with my guest post :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Lynne! I loved my cakes :) And I had a lovely day... Thank you for the wishes! And you just MUST get a copy of Jill's book! :) Thanks for stopping by....

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Kim! I did have a fabulous way... and Jill's post was one of best parts for sure :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

It does! Jill is really good :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Rachel! What amazing flavors, right? I love what Jill has done! :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Marysol! :) I agree :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you!!! :) I feel really blessed to have so many wonderful blogger friends :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks! :) I agree.... Nothing better! Thanks for stopping by :)

Magic of Spice said...

Hi Jill, wow this looks incredible! Wonderful guest post and celebration :)
Happy Birthday again Marsha, hope it was a great one and you enjoyed the surprise party...very sneaky :)
And a very Happy Blog Anniversary, may you enjoy many more! 

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! I am so glad Jill agreed to bake this for me! I had a wonderful birthday and thoroughly enjoyed being surprised :) Thanks for stopping by and for the wishes, Nancy! :)

Tara said...

I love love love love the flavours in this tart. I am sure it tastes amazing! 

Jill Colonna said...

Gosh, thank you so much to all of Marsha's readers for your sweet comments.  It has been the greatest pleasure being on The Harried Cook and joining in the double birthday celebrations. Congratulations, Martha!

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