This particular French tart is a what, not a who. It is a dark and intensely-flavored tart based on a traditional French confection, the mendiant, often served at Christmastime. Mendiants (which translates to mendicants or beggars) are chocolate palets topped with dried fruits and nuts that represent the four branches of mendicant Catholicism: raisins for Dominicans, hazelnuts for Augustinians, almonds for Carmelites, and figs for Franciscans, toppings that approximate the colors of their monastic garb. Curious? Keep reading…
I was in New York City last week for business and, while there, I found my dream house: La Maison du Chocolat. I was in heaven.
I set my dripping umbrella in the stand by the door and was greeted immediately with a warm smile from Ivy. I told her about the blog called, and that I was planning a post about chocolate in the near future. “Helpful” scarcely describes her kind and wonderful attention.
Within a few moments, I had a tour of their Easter display of carved chocolate sheep, a sample of several chocolates (the Liselotte – hazelnut gianduja coated with milk chocolate – and her cousin, Anastasia – hazelnut gianduja praline coated with dark chocolate), and a sip of their heavenly hot chocolate.
I left with a catalog, an 8.8-ounce bar of their Kuruba Chocolate (60% cacao), four varieties of macarons, and a tube Tasse de Chocolate, their drinking hot chocolate pearls, which I chose over their cocoa. I know, with a name like Cocoa & Lavender you would think that I would choose the cocoa, but I chose these dark, enticing pearls because I imagined myself next winter by the fire, sipping this deep, dark, rich chocolate and dreaming of Paris.
I told Ivy that I was going to make a Mendiant Tart for the post, using their Kuruba Chocolate, and she brought me to show me their mendiant candies. Almost 15 years ago, I saw my first mendiants at my favorite boutique chocolatier, Byrne & Carlson, in Portsmouth, NH. They made beautiful and delicious little wreaths studded with a variety of fruits, nuts and flowers. They now make mendiant bars with almonds, orange peel, dried cherries, crystallized mint leaves, violet petals and pansies. While not the traditional four fruits and nuts, theirs are so delicious and elegant that tradition doesn’t matter!
The tart I made is a variation on the confection, based on a recipe I saw in the New York Times. I decided to make it French by using Président butter in the crust, filling it with chocolate from La Maison du Chocolat and eucalyptus honey from Provence, topping it with citron glacée from Apt, candied violets from Paris, and fleur de sel from Bretagne, along with crystallized ginger and pistachios (provenance unknown). The honey and the citron glacée are both treasured gifts from friends Susan and Towny of The Modern Trobadors.
This very first mendiant tart was made for Heather, a dear friend visiting from Pasadena, who appreciates chocolate perhaps even more than I do. I wanted to top it with pink Himalayan salt, as pink is her favorite color, but can you believe I was all out? Fleur de sel would have to suffice. Such a lacking pantry have I!
Of the toppings I chose, our favorites were the citron glacée and candied violets – their citrus and floral notes really paired well with the intense chocolate.
Here is my variation of the recipe. My partner, who is not a great fan of chocolate (yes, a character flaw), said it made his knees weak. It is sure to please chocolate lovers and non-chocolate loves alike!
Bon appétit!
~ David
Mendiant Tart With Dark Chocolate Ganache
Adapted from the New York Times
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
499 grams (3 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour, plus more for flouring work surface
155 grams (1 1/3 cup) confectioners’ sugar
pinch of kosher salt
16 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
Nonstick baking spray
8 ounces 60- to 70-percent-cacao dark chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons full-flavored honey
pinch of kosher salt
shelled pistachios
glacéed citron
candied ginger
candied violet petals
fleur de sel
First, make the tart shell. This recipe will make enough for two tarts – the second shell can be frozen for future use.
In a small bowl, combine the vanilla, 1 whole egg and the yolk of another, reserving the remaining egg white for sealing the baked shell.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Mix on low speed, then add the butter and continue until mixture has a sandy consistency, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla-egg mixture and continue to mix until the dough comes together around the paddle, 3 to 5 minutes. Divide dough into 2 disks and wrap individually in plastic. Chill until dough is cold but not too hard to roll, about 40 minutes.
Heat oven to 325°F. Apply baking spray to a fluted 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness, about 12 inches in diameter. Gently roll dough onto a floured rolling pin, and unroll into tart pan. Press dough into pan’s corners, being sure it remains the same thickness all around. Roll the rolling pin across pan edges to cut off excess dough. Place pan in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Line tart shell with aluminum foil, and fill with pie weights, dry beans or rice. Bake until edges of dough start to color, about 12 minutes. Remove parchment and weights. Return to oven until base of pastry loses its sheen and is slightly golden, another 8 to 10 minutes. Lightly whisk the reserved egg white, and brush it over the entire inner surface of the hot shell. Return shell to oven to dry the egg white, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before filling.
While pastry shell is cooling, make the ganache. Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, combine cream, honey and salt. Bring to a simmer and immediately pour over the chocolate; allow to sit for 1 minute. Gently stir the mixture to create a silky ganache.
Pour ganache into shell, filling it to the brim. Allow to rest in a cool place for 10 minutes so chocolate can lightly set. Gently place all toppings, except for salt, on the ganache surface. Let rest in a cool place for another hour, or refrigerate for 20 minutes for a faster set. Serve at room temperature, slicing with a sharp knife first dipped in hot water. Serve fleur de sel on the side, letting your guests sprinkle a little on their slices. (If you add the salt to the tart too early, the moisture from the ganache will dissolve the salt. Not pretty and it lacks the crunchy texture, although it tastes fine.)
Makes 1 9-inch tart, 2 9-inch tart shells
Thoughts for variation… I think it might be worth adding some lemon or orange zest to the crust, and perhaps some orange emulsion to the ganache. Just some thoughts…
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| These are my mother’s wedding china – British pottery, actually – and I only have a few left. |
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Susan Oleksiw
May 4, 2013 at 2:08 pmThe tart looks wonderful. So do the plates. They look antique. How old are they?
Cocoa & Lavender
May 4, 2013 at 3:34 pmSusan – we can make this for you next time you visit! The plates were from my mother's wedding – 61 years ago on April 19. I love havin them, even of so few are left.
Ruth
May 4, 2013 at 5:18 pmAbsolutely beautiful plates – appropriately so for such a delicious sounding tart. (You're going to get some very interesting search terms landing you on the blog with a post title like that!). So pretty too.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 4, 2013 at 8:47 pmWell, Ruth… I figured that was ONE way to increase traffic to my blog! Every time I find pieces form my mother's set available on eBay or other sites, they are always in the U.K. or (oddly) New Zealand!
Valentina
May 5, 2013 at 6:56 amThis has to be the most stunning French tart I've ever seen. Truly gorgeous — and I'm certain it's just as delicious. Love your mom's china, too.
Karin
May 5, 2013 at 9:13 amWhen I used to live uptown in Yorkville (the neighborhood literally across the street from the upper east side), one of my treats if I was a very good girl was to walk crosstown a little to Maison du Chocolat for a treat. Oh MAN just the smell of that shop made me swoon, as no doubt will your gorgeous chocolate torte!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
May 5, 2013 at 12:28 pmThat pretty tart and those plates David! I had no idea about the story behind mendiants. I really developed a palate for chocolate and fruits as a grown up, so I haven´t eaten something like this in years. I love how you took the time to choose each ingredient carefully. That´s what food is all about. Lucky friend!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 5, 2013 at 2:29 pmValentina – thank you! I imagine someday making it look like a rose window in Notre Dame, but for now… this had to do!
Karin – I hadn't realized La Maison du Chocolate had been there that long. I loved having in Rockefeller Center – the mosaics were amazing.
Thanks, Paula – I had to do some research to find out why they were called beggars, too. That always sounded so funny to me! I really cherish the plates… Come visit and I will use them for you!
Colette (Coco)
May 6, 2013 at 6:41 amI don't trust people who don't like chocolate. Good thing your partner converted. 😉
The violets, etc look like gems.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 6, 2013 at 1:31 pmToo funny, Colette! But the way I see it is that I surround myself with people who don't like chocolate – more for me!
Mr. & Mrs. P
May 6, 2013 at 3:49 pmWhat a lovely tart! This would be perfect for a mothers day brunch next week.
Anonymous
May 6, 2013 at 4:15 pmThroughout this wonderful post I have been wanting to eat the screen for lack of alternatives. I think Heather from Pasadena is a very lucky lady if she has a friend who makes her this work of art when she visits. I wish I could join her!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 6, 2013 at 4:38 pmMr. & Mrs. P – what a great idea! We are traveling to new England to visit Mom, and she would love this!
Madonna (may I call you Madonna? 🙂 – I see we both have a love of good desserts. I felt exactly the same way when I was reading about your berry trifle this morning!
Anna @ The Littlest Anchovy
May 6, 2013 at 11:40 pmThis post left me in a chocolate trance David. I have always wanted to make mendiants but have not had the courage to tackle tempering chocolate yet. I love the violet with the citrus and if I give this a go I think I will use my candied Buddha's Hand!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 7, 2013 at 2:17 pmAnna – I have a fear of tempering chocolate, too… so this was my cheater's way to make mendiants! And I think your candied Buddha's Hand will be amazing on this! Can't wait to hear how it goes…
Anonymous
May 9, 2013 at 11:26 pmOh wow. David… this is one of the most beautiful tarts I have ever seen. I have literally scrolled back up about three times to look at those beautiful sugared violets and the glossy, smooth richness of the chocolate filling. I can't believe that your partner is missing out on all of these amazing chocolate treats you make!! Ah, I think if I was your other half I'd be in a happy, blissful food coma most of the time (haha… my husband hates cooking. He is quite happy to eat and then do the washing up as his contribution!). I adore your blog. Following from now on!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 10, 2013 at 6:08 amThanks, Laura! What a wonderful comment! Glad you found me and are enjoying the blog!
Susan Manfull
May 13, 2013 at 9:55 pmThis is a beautiful post! I am glad I waited until I had the time to thoroughly enjoy your thoughts, ideas and, of course, the gorgeous photos. I am so glad that you liked the citron glacée and continue to like the honey. I did not know the significance of the candied fruit and nuts and found that very interesting. Finally, I must confess that I simply covet those elegant plates!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2013 at 1:52 amThanks, Susan! It was a really fun post to write! And eat! I am glad you like the plates – next time you are in Tucson, we will use them!
Unknown
May 27, 2013 at 4:26 pmWhat a stunning post! And what a great experience. Your tart looks like it belongs in a Paris pastisserie! Your mother's china is lovely, too.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 27, 2013 at 4:32 pmThanks, Susan! I am just catching up on a bunch of your posts – they are all making me so hungry!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness
July 20, 2013 at 12:59 pmDavid, what an amazing post – I love everything about this, the history behing this amazing tart, the care with which you chose each and every ingredient, all the wonderful photography and the fact that you posted a picture of your mother´s 61 year old wedding china (you know that I love that)! If only I could find the time now and make this beautiful tart! I will most certainly try and then tell the guests about your lovely blog!
Have a wonderful weekend filled with fun and delicious summer treats!
Liebe Grüße aus dem sonnigen Bonn!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2013 at 2:44 pmAndrea – thank you so much! You are so kind! This post surprised me at how popular it was… and I assure you it is really good! I am glad you liked my mother's plates. I like to bring them out every once in a while. Her silver, too. I can't wait to see what you do when you make this tart. Noch einmal, vielen Dank aus Tucson!
Anonymous
May 26, 2014 at 11:39 amoh heavenly….we are so amazed by this beautiful dark chocolate tart and lovely plates…gorgeous and so very charming….an adorable post,thanks 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
May 26, 2014 at 3:37 pmThanks so much Rakesh and Swikruti! I love the plates and am glad to have them as a memory of my mother.
Gerlinde de Broekert
January 4, 2020 at 12:51 amYour tart looks divine and the plates are precious. How are you doing David?
Cocoa & Lavender
January 7, 2020 at 2:27 pmThanks, Gerlinde – I am doing well. Was able to go to México for several days – minimal pain but not perfect! How about you?