Sharing the "Tart Love": Review and Giveaway

There are so many wonderful cookbooks out there that specialize in certain types of food. And, it's always nice to add one to your cookbook collection. One that you may want to consider is Tart Love: Sassy, Savory and Sweet by Holly Herrick and published by Gibbs Smith.



First of all, it's an absolutely gorgeous cookbook. The photographs are by Helene Dujardin who is an inspiration to all of us food bloggers out there. She writes the blog, Tartlette, and is the author of one of my favorite food photography books, Plate to Pixel. I was just happy to flip through this book and look at the photographs.

Photography aside, Holly Herrick's recipes look and sound absolutely delicious. In the beginning of the book, the author starts out sharing two pastry recipes - master savory pastry and master sweet pastry that will be used throughout the entire book. Everything you need to know to perfect your tart crust is in this cookbook.

The remainder of the book is divided into these chapters: Savory Tarts and Tartlets, Savory Pies and Pot Pies, Savory Quiches, Savory Meat and Veggie Pockets, Sweet Custard and Cream Tarts and Tartlets, and Sweet Fruit Tarts and Pockets. Within each chapter, the recipes are divided by season - the perfect tart for the perfect season.

Since we're in the spring/summer mode now, I made the Vidalia Onion Tart with Bacon, Honey and Fresh Thyme. It was my first tart ever and I enjoyed the process. Was it perfect? No, but that's to be expected.  If I had to do it all over again, I would have browned the onions a little more but you live and learn. And, next time, I'll do better. I promise.

I have to try again because there's a Lowcountry Boil Puff Tart with my name on it. And, there are some sweet tarts that I have to attempt: Strawberry 'n' Cream Dream Tart and Butterscotch and Caramel Apple Tarts. I have to make them because, after reading this cookbook, I ordered the rectangular-shaped tart pans that Herrick suggested. I've made an investment in my tart-making future. And, I'm looking forward to more tart-making experiments.

Do you think that you would like to experiment with tart-making? Well, if you're interested, I do have an extra copy of Tart Love that I'm giving away to one of my followers. Just leave a comment below telling me that you're interested in the cookbook. Also, leave an e-mail address where I can reach you if you're the winner.

Deadline: May 7, 2012

Good luck!

Disclaimer: The publisher provided me with a copy of this cookbook, but the opinion expressed here is my own.