Monday, February 14, 2011

Lemon Sour Cream Tart




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I have a collection of recipes that are used primarily for cooking when we are away from home, but staying in accommodations that have kitchens. I learned a longtime ago that the presence of restaurants guarantees only that one will not starve, certainly not that one will dine or even eat well. It's sometimes really nice to have the option of eating in. From a vacationing cook's perspective, however, this works only when the recipes are quick and easy to make and can be assembled with minimal or substandard equipment. No one, escaping daily tedium, wants to spend hours in the kitchen, so, easy on, easy off food becomes de rigueur. Today's tart is a case in point. It is good enough to serve to guests at home, but a bit of deconstruction makes it possible to have this lovely treat wherever you travel. The crust is as negotiable as your standards. It need not be homemade and a really good commercial crust or puff pastry will work just fine. This tart is really a lemon pie that has lost its meringue. With the meringue gone, the tart can be made in a saucepan with a wooden spoon and simply chilled until it can be cut. Whipped cream or a whipped topping is usually served with this, but, when fresh berries are available I prefer to use them. A quick look at the recipe will convince you how easy this is to do. This, by the way, ia a wonderful recipe for new cooks to try. I can assure you it's delicious. Here's the recipe.

Lemon Sour Cream Tart...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite adapted from Recipezaar

Ingredients:
1 9-inch pie or tart crust
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2) Line a tart or pie pan with pastry. Flute edges. Prick bottom of sides with fork. Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool to room temperature.
3) Combine sugar, cornstarch, lemon rind, lemon juice and egg yolks and milk in a heavy saucepan. Cook on medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add butter and let mixture cool to room temperature. Stir in sour cream and pour filling into tart shell.
4) Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. The pie can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Top with dollops of whipped cream just before serving. Yield 8 to 10 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Lemon and Poppyseed Cake with a Yogurt Glaze - The Kitchen Wench
Meyer Lemon Tart Topped with Lightened Lemon Cream - Food Lover's Oddessy
Lemon Cakes - Pastry Studio
Lightened Up Lemon Bars - Half Baked
Meyer Lemon Bars - Tasty Easy Healthy Green
Strawberry Lemonade Squares - Buttercream Barbie

90 comments :

Joyce @ Chunky Cooky said...

Your tart is so perfectly done. Wish I can have a slice of it.. :)

Meg Johnston said...

Oh, wow, that looks perfect.

Come check out my competition!

http://for-goodness-cake.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-day-competition.html

Becky said...

Mary, I would love to have a slice of this right now! Lemon desserts are my absolute favourites. Thanks for sharing this quick and easy version.

Becky

Pondside said...

I'll bet that tastes wonderfully tart and smooth.

Diane said...

Sounds delicious, I love lemon. Diane

Amy said...

This really is easy and delicous recipe! You're so right, don't think any one wants to stay hours in the kitchen, especially when you're on vacation! :)

Amy
http://utry.it

muppy said...

I LOVE lemon pie, and this looks so so delicious :)

Asteri (Maria) said...

I love lemon tart!!!!
Cheers

My Little Space said...

Oh man, I am loving all your lemon & line pies. My mouth is watering just by looking at it! So, is this the pie you made for Bob for the celebration? :o) Happy Valentine's Day to you & BOb. Hope you're both enjoying the day.
Cheers, Kristy

Cherine said...

This is a fabulous treat! Yummy!

Chiara said...

I have wonderful sicilian lemons, I want to try making this delicious cake Mary! a hug....

Priya Suresh said...

Citrus flavoured tart looks absolutely stunning..

Jeannie said...

Oh goodness! that I want a piece of that tart! Looks perfect!

Sanjeeta kk said...

Love that crispy tart with lemon flavor filling!

Mimosa Café said...

woow looking so fantastically delicious! boun appetit.

Sarah said...

That looks absolutely delicious! I think that will have to go on my "recipes I want to try" list. I love all things lemon.

Lucie said...

Every single one of your lemon desserts is mouth-watering, Mary. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Karolina said...

It looks like a quite easy to make tart and looks delicious. I love lemon desserts, so I will make it when next time I will have friends around. It it too tempting to have it on my own, I could end up eating all of it. ;)

cocoa and coconut said...

Delicious and easy? I'm saving this recipe!
Beautiful presentation Mary. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, by the way.

mia maria said...

Your tart is perfect! All your lemon desserts are delicious!

Tanna said...

I enjoy lemon pie in any shape, size or form. This one looks wonderful. Happy Valentine's Day, Mary! Blessings ~ Tanna

From the Kitchen said...

I've found that, when in a remote and restful location, restaurants are few and far between. There is something comforting about a kitchen and food on hand for relaxed and delicious meals. I'm happy to have this luscious lemon pie to put into my "home away from home" recipe file.

Best,
Bonnie

kitchen flavours said...

This looks so good. Would really love to have a slice! Yes, it does sounds so simple, thanks for sharing!

Carol said...

Now that looks perfect! I love lemon!

Martha said...

I love anything lemon and this looks really good!

Arlene Delloro said...

A great post and a wonderful tart.

The Food Hound said...

I bet it tastes a lot like lemon curd, which means it would definitely be a favorite of mine!!

Unknown said...

The tart looks lovely, Mary! Not only does it seem easy to make, but it would be WAY easy to eat the whole thing too!! :)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Lemon is my chocolate so this is my way top celebrate the day!

briarrose said...

So so good. I love a good lemon dessert. I kind of like the thought of a meringueless lemon pie. ;)

Anonymous said...

i know valentine's is supposed to be all red and/or chocolaty, but this is the kind of dessert my wife would love on any holiday. cheers!

Unknown said...

Mary, I love lemon pie - this looks so easy and I am sure it is wonderfully delicious. Thanks for sharing this easy version!! Happy Valentine's Day to you! xo, Nina

Rich said...

Okay, well, see, "the presence of restaurants guarantees only that one will not starve, certainly not that one will dine or even eat well," is a fantastic point! A tidbit of brilliance, if you will.

And I guess that would make the pie a slice of brilliance? I almost didn't write that pun, simply because it's a rather easy and cheap one, but then I wrote out all this explaining that and didn't want to delete all that hard work, you know? Also, my word verification is ovello - and it got me thinking of Othello. And, consequently Iago, and how you never see first names that are 75 percent vowels.

Clint said...

Looks wonderful!

~~louise~~ said...

I can't tell you how many times I have been disappointed by hotel eateries. I always go for my own little kitchen where available.

This is a perfect dessert to include in my "stay over night repertoire."

Thank you so much for sharing, Mary...

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Looks beautiful and since I love anything lemon this is right up my ally! Thank you for sharing this version :o)

Claudia said...

What a gorgeous lemon dessert? The sweet tang of the lemon brightening the day. And dare I say it - a nice break from chocolate!

Jean said...

your lemon tart looks absolutely divine! i would really love a slice of it right now :P

Karen @ Abundance on a Dime said...

I adore lemon desserts and this one looks fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment :)

Maria Dolores said...

Los pasteles de limĂłn siempre son deliciosos y refrescantes.
Me ha gustado tu visita y me quedo por aquí hojeando tus fantásticas recetas.
Un saludo

Anonymous said...

This looks so pretty and bright. I wonder if this would work with lime...

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

I am going to have to add a new category to my recipe files now. That is a genius idea.

Be romantic, have a great valentines Day

Dave

sally said...

Yum! I absolutely love lemon desserts and this tart looks fantastic!

Rosy said...

What a great simple idea! Love it so much.

Foodiewife said...

I'm on a lemon kick, now that my Myer lemon tree has produced a bumper crop. I know what I'm making next! You always have such great recipes.

Unknown said...

I love to visit your blog is so tempting...
and I have to learn a lot from you
Have a nice day! Barbara

Anonymous said...

Lemon and berries...such a favorite combination! Mary, this is another recipe that I will be printing and adding to my notebook...it is sooo up my alley. Happy Valentines Day
♥, Susan

lena said...

i just read on your lemon mousse parfait and now looking this tart, you really got my mouth watering. I would like to make a lemon tart one of these days. Happy Valentine' Day to you too!

Ronda Kisner said...

You are making it hard for me to stick to going sugar-free at the end of the week!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Gorgeous - I love how you've mastered good food even when you travel. My goal is to make my kitchen approach as "portable" as possible. Happy Valentine's Day, Mary!

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Hi Mary,
Thanks for stoping by my blog and for the wonderfull comment.Now it's my turn to have a look around yours.I've already looked at this tart...just delicious!

I'll be back every single time you post a new recipe...

Kiss
Rita

Ginny Hartzler said...

This looks really good and easy too! I'm going to try it. Hope you have a great Valentine's Day!!

That Girl said...

I think it's brilliant to have a set of "stay away" recipes.

Faith said...

What a stunning tart, Mary! I love the refreshing flavor of lemon paired with the sour cream...sounds like a match made in heaven!

Eliana said...

Oh man - this taer is what dreams are made of. Wish I was enjoying a big slice of it right now.

Southerncook said...

Oh my goodness Mary, this looks amazing. I love anything with lemon and I MUST make this soon.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Helia Roberto said...

Hi Mary, I found your blog trhough your coment on Rita's blog, and I became a fan, i'll be back to see your dekightfull recipes.

kiss

HĂ©la

Rachel said...

My parents are coming for a visit the weekend of my kids' b-day party and I was trying to think of something to make for my Dad. He just celebrated his 60th birthday, but since both my son and husband are in school now, it's so much harder to get away--they live about 3 hrs from us. My Dad loves lemon, so I think this would be perfect!

By the way, I have an award waiting for you on my blog :)

teresa said...

oh soooo gorgeous. it looks so smooth and rich! happy valentine's day!

Joanne said...

I love lemon desserts and definitely have not made enough of them! It's perfect how adaptable and forgiving this is.

Kankana said...

That looks awsm .. and so perfectly done. Happy Valentines day :)

Chele said...

That is one great looking tart! Happy Valentines Day ;0)

nanny said...

Perfect!!!! Makes my mouth water!

A Canadian Foodie said...

I love the idea of having a list of "travel recipes"! I haven't ever done that!
When we do road trips - I do take my Thermomix as it will make an entire meal in 30 minutes plugged into a parking lot plug in. Even in the winter if we go to the mountains. I love that. Hot homemade soup in 10 minutes.
I will definitely be making a travel recipe list. This lemon tart/pie looks lush! I am sending the link to my mom. Vanja loves lemonade, but hates lemon food. Mom and Dad go crazy over it. She will love this.
:)
Valerie
(and maybe make it when I visit)

Simply Life said...

oh what a fun dessert! looks perfect!

Emma said...

I love your lemon tart, it looks so lush :)

Adelina said...

having lived in a hotel for about 1 month, I know exactly what you mean- and a kitchenette is a must under those circumstances!- your lemon tart looks delightful, no matter what the crust is- my focus was all at the yellow part!

dana said...

My taste buds stood up the minute they saw that photo! OMG...that looks great!

Hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

dana

RamblingTart said...

I would happily whip this up in a teensy kitchenette somewhere, Mary. :-) What a bright and delectable dessert. I think the sour cream really makes it fabulous. :-)

Ice said...

Hello! This is my first visit here.

You have quite a delicious looking blog! :o) They are making me hungry.

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so delicious here. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Paz

FOODESSA said...

Since I'm crazy for lemon pie...I can't imagine not falling in lemon love with your tart. Very interested in trying this recipe with sour cream.

Have a wonderful evening with your loving Hubby.

Big hug,
Claudia

Elaine said...

A deconstructed lemon meringue pie! It looks so delicious, Mary. Happy Valentine's Day!

Christine said...

This looks wonderful and is making my mouth water.

Sparkly Jules said...

I think I'm going to have to make this. Lemon. Yum.

Valérie said...

Sounds like you're prepared for any vacation culinary eventuality! And that tart is a beauty!

Anonymous said...

Another delicious dessert for me to add to my "must make list"! Yummy!! :)

Juliana said...

Mary, this tart looks so tasty, and I love everything that has lemon...yummie!

Rhonda said...

There you go again tempting me with lemon desserts! I'm watching my calories so I'll just have to settle for the lemon granita that I made.

Bakericious said...

just by looking at the lemon tart making my salivia dripping...

Yasmin said...

Beautiful capture of a beautiful recipe! Please send me a slice in the mail! May I keep this recipe for future use? If I don't die of shear joy from eating this tart may I post this recipe on my blog in the distant future? I would of course hyperlink the recipe to your blog,

Many thanks,
Yasmin

Mr. Bill said...

Nice!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

My husband would be thrilled to come home to this fabulous pie!!!! Something so homey and wonderful about a lemon dessert :)

Christina of Form V Artisan said...

Yummmmmm!!

Tom @ Tall Clover Farm said...

I'm such a fan of lemon pies, especially Shaker Lemon Pie, and now I need to become better acquainted with this Lemon Sour Cream Tart -- thanks!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I am loving all of the lemon recipes you've posted! Citrus flavors remind me so much of summer days!!

p.s. Coulc you take a minute and vote for my Pink Velvet POM cupcake here:http://www.pomwonderful.com/cupcakecontest/
And spread the word if you'd like--thanks a million :-)

Lisa~~ said...

I made this tart for one of my online cooking challenges and it was a huge success with all that tried it. Thanks for another wonderful recipe. I posted about the tart and shared some linky love. Hope that you'll check out my post: Ponderosa Lemon & Sour Cream Tart on Cook Lisa Cook.

Maria said...

Hey, I've made this tart today and it came out really nice. It was really easy and satisfying. I've tried every lemon tart there is, I personally prefer the one with condensed milk (key lime pie), but this was a great change.

June12345 said...

I love lemon pie this sounds great BUT what do I do with the leftover egg whites? I believe that all recipes that call for just the yoke should also post a recipe using the whites....one more interesting than to use them in your next batch of scrambled eggs

June12345 said...

I love lemon pie this sounds great BUT what do I do with the leftover egg whites? I believe that all recipes that call for just the yoke should also post a recipe using the whites....one more interesting than to use them in your next batch of scrambled eggs

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