Being wrapped in a world filled with food people, the lovers, academics and fanatics, I’ve often lost my footing. Forgotten the simple pleasures of small, honest meals for the sake of a journey towards the creation of an epic recipe. While surrounding myself with people who strive to reinvent the world of food as we know, I’ve been so entranced that I’ve stepped away from the core of who I am and the food I fell in love with.
I am not a moderist cook.
I am not a chef.
I may never create an epic recipe.
I am OK with that.
It was through a process, not of self discovery but of self remembrance, that stumbled upon a memory that I had almost lost within my catalogue of food experiences. Under the thousand dollar dinners, PR events, celebrity chefs, and world renowned restaurants was a small Italian city, and a home cooked meal.
Years ago, on what turned out to be a 16 hour layover, I was stuck in Pescara Italy. A girl about my age, just past 21, took pity on a broke and confused American in her tiny local airport and asked if she could show her town to me. It began with a home cooked meal, from her own mothers hands on a rickety folding table in her living room, the only place in the small apartment that would accommodate us all. Homemade bread, a small green salad, smashed peas and a roasted chicken.
For dessert was a lemon tart. Simple, beautiful and tangy, made by the hands of a woman who didn’t speak a word of English, but who took time to cook for me even though we would never have the ability to have a conversation, and I could never properly thank her. This is the food that I fell in love with, and I am reminding myself to stay true to that.
I’ve done my best to make the beer infused version of the tart that was made for me in Pescara, and chose a beer that is nearly as fascinating to me. Cooney Island Lager has flavors that remind me a great meal made in spring, orange, citrus, bread and apples.
If you can’t find this beer, look for a low hop beer with notes of citrus, tropical fruits and bread.
Ingredients Directions
http://thebeeroness.com/2012/06/12/drunken-strawberry-tart-with-beer-lemon-curd/
This looks perfect! Lemon curd is quite possibly one of my favorite foods–now I really want to try making it with beer…
Sooo freaking cool! xo
just discovered your blog – i don’t drink beer but i love baking/cooking with it! what an interesting recipe!
What an awesome experience for you! A real meal with real people 🙂 I’m trying to get to Italy next year and though I probably wouldn’t be as fortunate as you, I would love to experience life in the country with the locals and eat fresh farm food everyday…sigh.
This is so interesting. You had me at “drunken” lol. Definitely something I would like to attempt!
Jackie- this recipe is just beautiful! I have a soft spot for Lemon tart, it is one of my very favorite types of dessert, if not food in general. I could have never imagined putting beer in the curd, and I am totally intrigued! Thank you for sharing your story too. XO, H
Give yourself credit, you do make epic recipes. This one, it’s pretty rad! Who thinks to put beer in lemon curd? You, and that’s epic!
Oh, this is genius putting beer in the curd! This tart looks heavenly! And I love your story!
Great story Jackie and the Tart is definitely on my list of things to cook.
The one critique I have is that you did not mention the cook time for the short bread crust. I had to find it off another website. Other than that it is a great recipe.
Thank you! I fixed it.
LOVED this! I wasn’t 100% sure how the person who I was making it for would like the beer or if I could find one like the one you chose, but I couldn’t resist making it! I tried using ginger ale and it was PERFECT. Loved the recipe <3
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂