Maids of Honor Tarts

[a_boleyn]

My friend Charles, of Five Euro Foods, often posts traditional British recipes, so he was the person I asked about these intriguingly titled tarts which I'd run across in my reading. When he said he hadn't ever heard of them, but they sounded like something worth trying, I decided to finally get off my duff and give them a shot

Comments

[iulia_linnea]

Oh, those look yummy!

[a_boleyn]

Thank you. I can't quite decide if I like the raspberry or the mixed citrus curd version better. I think they'd be great additions to an afternoon tea.

[iulia_linnea]

Why not have both? ;)

[a_boleyn]

You're right.

I made the 2nd batch because it turned out there was more almond filling than would fit inside the first dozen tarts and more pastry as well. And I didn't want to throw it away so I thought ... why not try the citrus curd inside? I'm glad I did. :)

[ext_1117662]

Love the mixed citrus tarts!

[a_boleyn]

Thank you. :)

[anonymous]

They look fantastic! I'm sure they taste great because... they are extremely similar to Mirlitons de Rouen (http://www.withaglass.com/?p=6354) I often prepare and which are traditional regional French tartlets! Incredible isn't it? The British and the French have several similar pastry recipes (crème brûlée vs burnt cream, quatre quarts vs pound cake...) and often both think they have invented them!
Maids of honour is a recipe I see in every British cookery book I have (I have several but somehow rarely use them), but I had no idea what they looked like. By the way, aren't Poor Knights of Windsor the same as French "pain perdu"? Sissi (http://www.withaglass.com)

[a_boleyn]

You're right. They are similar to your mirlitons. In fact, I've seen recipes where these tarts are made with a puff pastry base as well as having the sliced almonds sprinkled on top before baking. I love your little tart pans which give them the scalloped edges.

I looked up Poor Knights of Windsor as I'd never heard of them. You're right, add jam to eggy bread and your have PKoW. :)

So many similarities in recipes throughout the world.

[ext_877277]

Aah, so these are Maid of Honor tarts... I can't believe I never heard of these... it reminds me of... well, lots of things actually... a little like frangipanes, a little like a Swedish cake I love, a little like a custart tart, but I never had one just like this - I bet the curd is a beautiful finish - must make these next time I make up some curd!

[a_boleyn]

I also thought of frangipanes when I first read the recipe. I always thought they were "Maid" of Honor but it turns out they're called "Maids" of Honor. The curd was very nice ... not overly sweet. The raspberry ones were much sweeter.

It's a long time since I made any pastry dough ... I'm thinking of making several versions of butter tarts next weekend.

[anonymous]

These look and sound like something I would love; the ground almonds, the jam and the lemon curd are flavours I really enjoy. I've heard of Maid of Honor Tarts, although I have never made them. Looks like you are off to a good start on cleaning out your pantry. I should have inventoried the freezer ages ago but it never got quite cold enough outside. It's a chore I will do on the weekend, thanks for reminding me - I bet I have at least a week's worth of dinners in there, that's a week worth I won't have to worry about!
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

[a_boleyn]

I should inventory the freezer as well, and take pictures before the event. Though I bet you don't have a 12 pound turkey in yours ... or do you? :)