Eric Lanlard’s Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’

Indulge in the heavenly flavors of Eric Lanlard’s Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’, a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of fresh strawberries with the rich creaminess of whipped cream and caramelized sugar. This tart is fit for royalty, with its golden pastry base and luscious strawberry and banana filling. Eric Lanlard, a renowned pastry chef, has crafted this masterpiece to impress and delight guests at any gathering or special occasion. The preparation is surprisingly easy, thanks to the use of ready-made or puff pastry, making this dessert a quick and delicious treat to savor. Let’s dive into the delectable world of Eric Lanlard’s Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’ and create a dessert fit for kings and queens.

INGREDIENTS:

• 375g ready-made or puff pastry
• 15g unsalted butter, melted
• 50g unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
• 2 bananas (not too ripe), sliced
• 2 tbsp banana cream liqueur
• 300ml (½ pint) whipping cream
• 2 tsp vanilla paste or extract
• 250g golden caster sugar
• 350g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

PREPARATIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/400°F/gas mark 6.
2. Roll out the pastry 5mm (¼ in) thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut out a disc roughly 23cm(9in) in diameter and place it on a baking tray.
3. Brush the pastry with the melted butter and prick it with a fork, leaving a border of 2cm (¾in) around the edge. Cover with a sheet of baking paper and place a second baking tray on top.
4. Melt the butter and muscovado sugar together in a frying pan over a gentle heat. Increase the heat, add the banana slices, and fry until golden, turning them over once. Drizzle over the liqueur, flambé (flame the alcohol), then turn off the heat and leave in the pan to cool.
5. Put the whipping cream into a large bowl with the vanilla and 100g of the golden caster sugar, then whisk to firm peaks.

METHOD:

1. Bake the pastry in the oven for 15 minutes, then carefully remove the top baking tray and the baking paper and bake for another 5 minutes, or until it is nice and golden. Leave to cool on the tray or a cooling rack.
2. Place the disc of cooked puff pastry on a serving dish.
3. Cover the center with the cooled banana slices.
4. Using a palette knife, spread the whipped cream over the bananas.
5. Arrange the halved strawberries over the cream.
6. Put the remaining golden caster sugar into a thick-based saucepan and heat until caramelized to a lovely golden color.
7. Remove from the heat and drizzle carefully over the strawberries.
8. Decorate the tart with a few flakes of edible gold leaf.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Smear a little of the whipped cream underneath the cooked pastry to stop it from sliding around your serving dish.

PREP TIME:

• 15 minutes

YIELD:

• Eric Lanlard’s Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’ serves 8 people.

TIPS:

• You can add a touch of lemon zest or grated orange zest to the whipped cream for a citrusy twist.
• Allow the tart to chill in the refrigerator for a while before serving to enhance the flavors.

In conclusion, Eric Lanlard’s Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’ is a regal dessert that brings together the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries, the creaminess of whipped cream, and the richness of caramelized sugar. The combination of flavors creates a symphony of tastes, making this tart a true delight for the senses. The puff pastry base, baked to a golden perfection, provides a delightful crunch, while the luscious banana and whipped cream filling adds a heavenly creaminess that complements the sweetness of the strawberries.

Crafted by the talented pastry chef Eric Lanlard, this Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’ is sure to impress guests and loved ones alike. With a few simple steps, you can create a dessert fit for kings and queens in the comfort of your own kitchen. The contrasting textures and flavors make each bite a delight, leaving you craving for more.

For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle caramelized sugar over the fresh strawberries, creating a glistening and tempting glaze. And if you want to add a touch of luxury, decorate the tart with a few flakes of edible gold leaf, elevating it to a truly royal treat.

This dessert is perfect for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. Serve it at your next dinner party or make it the star of your afternoon tea. The combination of fresh strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, and caramelized sugar is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

So, why not treat yourself and your loved ones to the royalty of flavors in Eric Lanlard’s Strawberry Tart ‘Royal’? Delight in the sweetness of fresh strawberries, the creaminess of whipped cream, and the rich undertones of caramelized sugar. Make this dessert a part of your culinary repertoire and experience a taste of pure indulgence.