Sour Cream Apple Tart

Тhe first time I baked this tart, it was just to use up some leftover sour cream. It turned out so delicious that it instantly became a family favorite! Now, I buy sour cream specifically for this recipe.

Some call it a classic European apple pie (Tsvetaevsky Apple Pie), but to me, it’s simply my signature 'Sour Cream Apple Tart'. Here is the recipe!

Sour Cream Apple Tart

Natalija

Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • 150 g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1.5 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder

For the Filling & Topping

  • 4-5 apples
  • 180 g granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1,5 Tbsp flour
  • 1/2 lemon (juice)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • Some berries (optional)
  • powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F

Make the Crust

  • In a medium bowl, combine the melted (and cooled) butter with the sour cream. Add the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gently knead until a soft, smooth dough forms.
  • Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a greased or parchment-lined baking pan (a tart pan or springform pan works best).
  • …create a neat border.
  • Prick the entire surface of the dough with a fork.
  • Peel the apples,
  • Core them, and chop into small pieces. Arrange them evenly over the crust.
  • If your apples are on the sweeter side, drizzle them with fresh lemon juice to balance the flavor.

Make the Filling

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the egg and sugar together with a mixer until slightly fluffy.
  • Add the sour cream and vanilla, mixing well to combine.
  • Stir in the flour and give it one final mix.
  • Pour the sour cream filling evenly over the apples.
  • Optional: At this point, you can scatter some berries over the top – blackcurrants add a lovely tart pop of color and flavor, though it's completely optional!
  • Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is a beautiful golden brown. (Baking time may vary depending on your oven and the type of pan used). To test for doneness, insert a knife blade or a wooden skewer into the center of the pie – it should come out clean.
  • Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!
    Some call it a classic European apple pie (Tsvetaevsky Apple Pie), but to me, it’s simply my signature 'Sour Cream Apple Tart'. Here is the recipe!
Keyword mycafegourmand
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Cherry clafoutis

This is my favorite cherry clafoutis recipe — a delightful take from the classic version that I’ve adapted with my own twist. With cherry season in full swing, this simple yet irresistible dessert is the perfect way to enjoy summer’s sweet bounty!

Cherry clafoutis

Natalija
Here’s the classic version of cherry clafoutis made with pitted cherries. I recommend removing the pits — it’s much easier to eat that way!For a more elegant presentation, you can bake it in small molds or ramekins.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 eggs
  • 100 g sugar
  • 110 g flour
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 450 ml liquid cream (35%)
  • 150 ml milk
  • 1 cuillère a soupe liquid vanilla
  • 600 g pitted cherries (griottes)
  • Bit of sugar for the mold
  • Bit of butter for the mold

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven (210°С/ 410°F).
  • Mix the eggs and the sugar
  • Add milk and liquid cream. Mix.
  • Add vanilla.
  • Add flour and salt. Mix well one more time.
  • Generously butter the baking dish(es) and sprinkle them with sugar.
  • Spread the pitted cherries over the bottom of the molds.
  • Pour in the clafoutis batter. The cherries should remain visible.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes. Baking time depends on the size of the molds.
  • Serve warm or cold. In my opinion, it tastes better cold.
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Financiers (French Almond Mini Cakes)

Classic French petit fours made with almond flour and egg whites, baked in small molds shaped like little gold bars. A perfect way to use up leftover egg whites!

Financiers (French Almond Mini Cakes)

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 10 persons

Ingredients
  

  • 60 g almond flour
  • 60 g all-purpose flour sifted
  • 150 g powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 6 egg whites (about 210 g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 90 g unsalted butter melted
  • A bit of sliced almonds (optional, for topping)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 220°C (410°F). Grease your baking molds with butter. (Silicone molds do not need to be greased.)
  • In a bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: almond flour, all-purpose flour, sifted, powdered sugar, sifted, and baking powder. Mix well.
  • Add wet ingredients: 6 egg whites and liquid vanilla extract (or 1 packet vanilla sugar) to the dry mixture. Mix together using a hand mixer until combined.
  • Add unsalted melted butter, and mix well. The batter will be fairly runny — this is normal.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared molds. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoons sliced almonds (optional, for topping) if desired.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes , until golden brown.
  • Baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your molds.
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Roasted eggplants with tomatoes

These baked eggplants are delicious both warm and at room temperature, making them perfect to prepare in advance.

Roasted eggplants with tomatoes

Natalija
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 onions
  • 4-5 cloves garlic
  • 3+3 teaspoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 small tomatoes
  • 4 small eggplants¾
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions
 

  • Peel the onions and garlic and cut them into large pieces.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and sauté the onions over low heat until soft and translucent.
    Slice the tomatoes into ½ cm thick rounds and lightly season them with salt.Insert the tomato slices into the cuts in the eggplants.
    Place the stuffed eggplants on top of the onions in the baking dish.
    Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and add a few bay leaves.
    Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the eggplants.
  • Transfer the onions to the bottom of a baking dish. Preheat the oven to 180°C (390°F).
  • Trim the stems off the eggplants. Carefully slice each eggplant lengthwise into ½ cm (¼ inch) thick slices, stopping about 2 cm from the base so the slices remain attached.
  • Slice the tomatoes into ½ cm thick rounds and lightly season them with salt.
  • Insert the tomato slices into the cuts in the eggplants.
  • Place the stuffed eggplants on top of the onions in the baking dish. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and add a few bay leaves.
  • Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the eggplants.
  • Bake for about 1 hour, until tender.
  • If you enjoy a stronger garlic flavor, press 1–2 additional cloves over the finished eggplants just before serving.
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Buckwheat Crepes

The “Galettes de Sarrasin” – traditional french buckwheat crepes that can be served with savory filling: ham & cheese (Galette Jambon Fromage), veggies, eggs, mushrooms, salmon…  The filling option is endless. My Breton husband loves them so much, he eats them plain with butter or with jam.

This recipe is gluten free!

Французские блины из гречневой муки

Buckwheat Crepes

Natalija
One of the most common tips you’re likely to encounter for this buckwheat pancakes is to let the batter rest for at least 2 hours. If overnight, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 12 crepes

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g buckwheat flour sifted
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 350 ml milk
  • 350 ml water
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g melted butter
  • butter for cooking

Instructions
 

  • Combine buckwheat flour with salt, milk and water together.
  • Add eggs.
  • Add melted butter and whisk until smooth.
  • Cover with plastic and and let rest for 2 hours.
  • Heat a lightly buttered nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add 1/4 cupful batter to skillet and immediately tilt to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook until edges start to dry and center is set, for about 30 seconds, lift with spatula and cook the other side for couple more seconds, move them to the cutting board.
  • Always keep your eyes on the pan.
  • Brush each crepe with butter and serve while they are still hot.
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Hachis Parmentier

Hachis Parmentier is a delicious French casserole made with layers of mashed potatoes and ground beef.

The dish is named after Antoine Parmentier (1737-1813). He was a French pharmacist who made potatoes popular in Paris and northern France.

Hachis Parmentier

Natalija
Préparation 25 minutes
Cuisson 45 minutes
Total 1 hour 10 minutes
Portions 4 servings

Ingrédients
  

  • 1 kg large potatoes
  • 100 g butter (50+30+20)
  • 50 ml milk (heated)
  • 1 large onion
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 500 g ground beef
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 30 g grated cheese
  • Some seasonings or minced parsley (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Peel the potatoes and chop them into cubes. Boil in salted water until easily pricked with fork, about 20 minutes. Then drain water.
  • Add 50 g of butter and mash. Add warmed milk and mash together to smooth consistency. Taste the puree, add more salt if needed.
  • Peel and chop the onion and garlic.
  • Melt 30 g of butter in a large pan and saute onion and garlic until soft.
  • Add ground beef and cook until browned. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Take the pan off the fire and let cool down a little. Add a row egg.
  • Process to finer texture by using a food processor, if desired.
  • Preheat oven to 380F/190C. Grease baking dish.
  • Add 1/2 of mashed potatoes in thin layer to the prepared dish. Then layer beef preparation on top of potatoes. You can also add your favorite seasonings at this point or some chopped parsley. (This time, I added paprika).
  • Top with remaining potatoes. You can make some shapes on the top using the fork. Add remaining butter and dot on the potatoes. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes until the top is golden.
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Porcini Mushroom Soup

A tasty porcini mushroom soup. And to make things easier, we use frozen mushrooms here. They are fried in a pan without defrosting. Serve very hot with a spoon of sour cream.

You can also find these mushrooms under the name of ceps or bolets.

Porcini mushroom soup

Natalija
Excellent mushroom soup made of porcini (ceps)
Prep Time 55 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 400 g frozen porcini mushrooms
  • 1-2 tbsp flour
  • 3-4 medium-size potatoes peeled
  • 3 leaves bay
  • 1 onion peeled
  • 1-2 carrots peeled
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp sour cream
  • A few sprigs dill or chopped chives
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté the mushrooms directly from frozen.
  • Once the mushrooms are golden, sprinkle them with flour. Mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from heat.
  • Slice the onion and grate the carrots.
  • Heat the remaining oil in another frying pan. Sauté the onion and carrots until softened. Lightly season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the pan from heat.
  • Cut the potatoes into cubes about 1–1.5 cm on each side.
  • Bring about 3 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the potatoes and bring back to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat, add salt, mushrooms, and bay leaves, and simmer.
  • Add the sautéed vegetables to the pot. Cook everything together for another 10–15 minutes.
  • Serve hot in bowls. Add a tablespoon of sour cream to each serving and sprinkle with dill or chives.

Nutrition

Serving: 150mlCalories: 1kcal
Keyword mushroom soup, Soup
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Tomato and Boursin™ Puff Pastry Tart

A very easy tart to prepare made from ready-made puff pastry, tomatoes and Boursin™ cream cheese.

This French pie can be of any shape and any size, depending on what kind of dough you have on hand. I don’t even make sides so there is less dough and more filling. But this is not for everyone: if you like golden puff pastry, fold 1 centimeter of the edges inward and brush them with egg.

Tomato and Boursin™ Puff Pastry Tart

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet all butter puff pastry
  • 1 egg
  • 4-5 tomatoes slices
  • 100 g Fresh cream cheese (ex. Boursin™)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Few basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (thermostat 6).
  • Spread the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Prick it with a fork.
  • Brush the entire surface with the egg wash.
  • Place the tomato slices.
  • Press paper towel over the tomatoes to remove liquid excess.
  • Place a small piece of cheese on each tomato slice. Pepper.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes until the dough is cooked through.
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Potato Gratin with Blue Cheese

The potatoes are baked in a creamy mixture of milk, cream, and Blue cheese. If you’re using new potatoes or ones with thin skins, there’s no need to peel them.

Potato Gratin with Blue Cheese

Natalija
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 kg potatoes (about 4.5 lbs)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • A pinch nutmeg (optional)
  • 500 ml heavy cream (2 cups)
  • 500 ml milk (2 cups)
  • 150 g blue cheese (5 oz)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven at 180°C (thermostat 6).
  • Butter a large ovenproof dish. Peel and slice the potatoes into very thin rounds.
  • Put them dry with paper towels, then arrange them evenly in the prepared dish.
    Season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg if you like.
  • Crumble the blue cheese with a fork, then mix it with the cream and milk until well combined.
  • Pour the mixture over the potatoes, making sure everything is evenly coated.
  • Bake in the oven from 1h to 1h30, until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.
    Put the dish under the grill for a few minutes to ensure the gratin is perfectly golden.
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Roasted Pumpkin Wedges

Roasted pumpkin wedges are a simple and healthy dish that pairs well with fish and meat. This recipe is easy as pie and requires just basic ingredients like pumpkin, salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil and some fresh herbs.

Roasted Pumpkin Wedges

Natalija
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 wedges of a big pumpkin
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • salt and black pepper
  • Some olive oil
  • Some fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro or scallions)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 390F (200С). Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  • Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, cut into two parts and remove seeds with a spoon.
  • Cut the pumpkin into wedges. Keep in mind that this kind of pumpkin doesn’t need to be peeled. Season the wedges with salt and pepper. Next, mince or grate finely some garlic. Coat the wedges with a mixture of olive oil and garlic.
  • Place the wedges on the baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes (depending on the kind of pumpkin and wedges size). When the wedges are soft, remove from the oven. Make sure they are not overdone.
  • Sprinkle the roasted pumpkin wedges with fresh herbs and they’re ready to be served!
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