Mini tartlets

Many a time while hosting a party ,deciding on a dessert can be quite a task...with people being very particular about counting calories  keeping in mind the vegetarian guests who may prefer egg less desserts...I tried this idea ,a few years ago and was a huge hit...to serve a selection of mini tartlets with a variety of fillings...something for everyone,the chocoholic , the fruitoholic,the calorie counters...no one wanted to say no to a mini tartlet ! You can  order the tart bases from a bakery or make them yourself if you have the time...they can also be assembled quickly just before serving if you are worried about a soggy base ! The other great thing about it is that it's stress free and fun for the host,to serve up something so pretty with little effort...I had fun thinking up of fillings, I know you will too...just as long as you are not partial to your taste preferences alone ;)))...ok...since you are doing all the work,reward yourself, 2 of your favourite fillings and 1 for your guest...lol !!!

For the short crust pastry base

Ingredients

 125g flour

 55g icing sugar

 55g butter 

Method

  You can use wholemeal flour if you prefer !

Sift the flour and icing sugar into a large bowl

Crumble the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs

Add a bit of water, a tsp at a time and bring together without kneading ,to a dough

If it's too wet,sprinkle a bit of flour,too dry,add a bit of water.

Wrap it in cling film and flatten it slightly

Chill it for about 20 mts

Pre heat oven to 180 degrees C

When you are ready to use ,roll it out and cut into small rounds and place inside greased tart cases

Prick them slightly with a fork and bake until golden...about 10 mts or so

Let cool and store them in an airtight tin.

If you want to make chocolate bases,you can make it 105 g flour and 20g cocoa...or lessen the cocoa ratio ,if you prefer say 110g flour to 15 g cocoa powder.

Fillings

One simply has to have a chocolate filled tart...it's unthinkable not to...a simple filling of melted dark chocolate or a more complex mousse filling or a decadent nutella filling...up to you...mine is a melted dark choc filling-double boiling method !

Simply melt chocolate in a clean bowl over a pan of hot water

The second is a thick yoghurt and honey filling topped with strawberries

The third is a filling of mixed caramelised nuts,walnuts,almonds and cashew nuts ! YUM !

To 5 Tbsp of sugar,add a Tbsp of water and place on low heat,gently swirl the pan,until the sugar melts...when it starts turning colour,take off the fire and quickly add in the nuts and mix well through until well coated...these you need to fill into the tart bases right away as the caramel hardens quite fast !

Pop them on a platter...dust a bit of icing sugar for the ooh la la effect and you have dessert fit for a queen !