Why is it that sometimes, however many pictures you take, your tarte Bourdaloue always ends up looking like a darn flying saucer? And why are there so many references to odd space crafts on this blog? Is this recipe part of a larger conspiracy?
Would that explain why its flavours are “out-of-this-world”? Could it possibly be connected with the tonka bean that I stealthily grated in the frangipane, a bean which - as you may know- has been banned from the US territory for very unclear reasons?
In a nutshell, my friends, there’s something bloody fishy going on here (c’est sacrément louche, cette affaire). There at least is one thing I am absolutely positive about, though, it’s the exceptional quality of this recipe, even more so when you pimp the frangipane with one grated tonka bean. No wonky Martian business here I tell you. It’s been tasted, approved of and voted Eighth Wonder of the World. Err, ok, maybe not the last one (although it is objectively a heck tastier than an old crusty lighthouse).
Why is this recipe fantastic? The crust: easy to work with, can be spread very thinly and yet bakes into a very crispy shell that allows you to serve it into neat shares. The blind baking of the frangipane prevents any pear juice-induced sogginess. The egg custard topping complements the frangipane to a perfection. And last but not least, the intrinsic fruitiness of the Bourdaloue makes it very easy to eat after a full meal. Oh yes.
And to prove this is not just another machination I’m willing to share the love and send a few tonka beans to an American reader who would like to give this recipe a go [*cough*, wonder if the CIA reads my blog]. Just post a comment and there’ll be a draw etc etc.
shhh dont tell anyone - I just bought a pound of these magical beans - I had a tonka tea just the other night….I will make this recipe though - it makes me remember a certain french girl from a number of years ago..she made this after a delicous rabbit meal!
Hello my friend.
If we didn’t have food blogs, I would never hear from you!
I saw this never heard of bean on Chez What this week…….ok, you can send me some please. My birthday is soon.
Miss you!
What a coincidence, I was just reading about tonka beans earlier today on Tartelette, and had never heard of them before! Would love to try them. Your tarte looks divine, my dear!
Don’t enter me in the giveaway but between you and me we are going to start raising suspicions!!
mmmmm I would love to try Tonka Beans!!
I saw the recipe on Zen Can Cook and actually bookmarked it for a future girls dinner although there is no chocolate involved…
Woman! I LOVE tonka beans! Didn’t we talk tonka beans in NY? Was that with you? I kind of believe the tart in the 8th wonder, specially with the tonka beans. I made cookies with tonka beans last week, pretty good too if you want to know. Anyway I shut up now and carry on with my life, you carry on doing pies!
We had Tonka trucks when we were kids… are they related? But, crazy you, this pie does look out of this world!
Familiar with the Tonka trucks as well…not tonka the food. You learn something new every day!
I can vouch for Claire’s tonka beans as well as for this recipe as I’ve had both (although my tart didn’t turn out nearly as good looking as either of theirs).
i like reading food blogs because i am always seeking for new recipes.`;~
i always bookmark food blogs becuase i want to look at new recipes.;-.