So this is my first post in 2015. We’ve finally settled down in our rented apartment in Auckland and started to enjoy summer in our new home. It has been an interesting experience thus far as we’d both thought that the New Zealand summer would be similar to the weather in Singapore. We were proven wrong on our very first day as we were the only ones in jackets walking along Queen Street. Talk about blending in. It’s still puzzling how people wear tiny shorts and barely there tops when there’re such epic-force (by Singapore standards) winds. I’m sure it’s equally puzzling to Aucklanders how covered up we were in Summer. It’s mutual this look of bewilderment we give each other at traffic lights.
Then two weeks ago, we learnt too late that the New Zealand sun is force to be reckoned with. We were sunburnt, chao ta (Hokkien for ‘burnt’). But on most days, Auckland has the most beautiful skies, clouds and weather, complete with gulls gliding and cute little birds and butterflies darting about. We took advantage of one of those perfect days and headed to the local farmers’ market at Parnell.
We bought these tri-coloured baby carrots from an organic farmer . . .
slightly caramelised and cooked them,
and baked them into this simple and delicious vegetarian tarte tatin that was perfect for a summer treat.
I didn’t want to overpower the natural taste of the baby carrots, so I used only one tablespoon of harissa. You could add honey with the harissa for an extra caramelised traditional tarte tatin but I preferred just the natural sweetness of the baby carrots. I didn’t cook the carrots for long as I wanted a little crunch but it’s really up to you to cook the carrots longer over the stove top if you prefer it soft. The crunchy toasted pinenuts, tart goat’s milk feta, slightly sweet and tart pomegranate molasses and fresh herbs all complemented each other.
Carrots are in season all year round so you should make this. I guarantee you’ll like it.
Moroccan Carrot Tarte Tatin
http://www.cupcakesncurries.com
- 9-10 baby carrots, cut lengthwise (or as many to fill your pan)
- 1 Tbsp harissa paste
- knob of butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 sheet of ready-rolled, all butter puff pastry (or enough to cover your pan
- goat’s milk feta
- pomegranate molasses / pomegranate arils
- small handful pine nuts, toasted
- mint and parsley leaves, rough chopped
23-25cm ovenproof pan
200°C fan , pre-heated
1. Cut out your puff pastry according to the inside circumference of your pan. Keep cut puff pastry aside.
2. In your heated pan,add olive oil and a small knob of butter. Once butter stops foaming, add harissa paste and cut baby carrots to the pan. Cook the carrots partially until their edges brown and caramelise.Season with a little salt. (The harissa and feta should’ve quite a bit of salt)
3. Remove pan off heat.Arrange the carrots on the so that they are not overlapping and the cut sides are faced down. Do not overcrowd the pan.
4. Lay cut pastry sheet over carrots and tuck the edges in.
5. Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes, until pastry puffs up and turns golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and let it cool for about 1-2 minutes.
7. Now, hold a plate over the saucepan. Using ovenproof mittens, carefully invert the tart onto the plate.
8. Scatter pinches of feta, toasted pine nuts over the tart while it’s still warm. Drizzle some pomegranate molasses and throw in some roughly chopped mint and parsley leaves.
9. Enjoy it with a side of salad while it’s still warm and crisp. Perfect!
Notes: Traditionally, this is made in a tarte tatin pan but an ovenproof pan does the trick. If you don’t have an oven proof pan, you cook cook the carrots and transfer them to an oven proof dish as well. But you’ll loose the nice caramel bits on the bottom of the pan.
Monsoon Table 
I just love pomegranate molasses – must try this one!
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Me too! I love it’s syrupy consistency too. You’ll like this tart then 🙂
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Delicious recipe love the ingredients, amazing photography as well!
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Many thanks, Alice!
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That looks stunning
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Oh, thank you Urvashi! Coming from you, that’s a compliment indeed 🙂
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WOW this looks outrageously good! Beautiful carrots!! This would make a great appetizer. Love it, thanks so much!
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Thanks Kristen! You’re welcome. Hope your tart’s a hit.
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I love this recipe and the beautiful pictures. Do you think it would work with regular carrots too, maybe if they are cut in pieces?
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Thanks 🙂 I’m sure it would work but you would need a slightly longer cooking time on the pan before you put it in the oven.
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Literally spent the last half hour reading through all of your recipes. You’re my new favourite!
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There’s no ‘super like’ button, if not I would’ve clicked it. Thank you for your encouragement, Jenn. You’ve made my day ! I’m loving your baking recipes too.
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Actually loving the sound of so many of your recipes – they’re genuinely innovative, there’s always an awesome twist and not just a common “cooking X but with a bit of a twist”, your ideas are really inspiring 😀 (Couldn’t help but admire the photography too! Sorry for all the gushing, just had to express how much I like your blog and cooking!)
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Gosh! C.Lau, you don’t know how much that honest and awesome comment meant to me and made my day! Thanks for stopping by. I do post a lot more cooking related stuff on my instagram @cupcakesncurries . Do stop by and say hi 🙂
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