Eggless Custard Fruit Tart

A recipe...long due to be written. Finally, here it is!! I never had a 'tart' pan before. The other day at Target...I found this colorful cool looking one! It has a removable bottom...which is perfect!!

So, this tart was going to be a 'dessert' for a friends birthday party...and many of them happen to be 'vegetarian'...and so I was hunting for 'Eggless' Tart recipes.Where else do you find a good baking recipe???....My favorite 'go to' site: www.joyofbaking.com

Shortbread crust:
I baked the crust, just like how they tell to...there is even a video for it. It comes out so buttery and flaky..it will just melt in your mouth!!
The only think I changed was the baking temperature: I baked the crust at 350F for 20-22 mins (The pan had those instructions)
http://www.joyofbaking.com/EasyFruitTartRecipe.html

Custard filling:
This one..I made up.Just like the custard made with 'custard powder', in the 'fruit salad with custard recipe....it is similar ...just needs to be 'thicker'.
 Ingredients:
2 Cups whole milk
4tbsp Custard powder
4tbsp sugar
1/2tsp vanilla extract
4tbsp cream cheese(optional- if you want a little 'tart' flavor)

Method:
1)Mix the custard powdered with 1/2 cup milk and mix till smooth and all lumps are gone.
2) Heat the remaining milk. When it is warm, slowly add the custard powder mixed with milk.Stir continuously on medium-low flame till it thicken up.
3) Add the sugar and mix.Boil more for couple mins.Stir constantly till thick.Add vanilla extract and mix. Take off the flame. Let it cool completely. Stir after every few mins, when it is cooling.It will thicken more.
4) Meanwhile bring the cream cheese to room temperature.Whisk it into smooth paste.Add to the cooled custard and whisk till well incorporated.
5) Pour the cooled custard into the baked cooled tart. Smoothen it with a spoon. Chill in the refrigerator covered till ready to decorate with fruits.

Fruits: (of your choice. More colorful the better!)
Strawberries
Blueberries
Kiwis
grapes
mandarin oranges
You can decorate the tart in any pattern. Fill the tart with fruits.Do this few hours before ready to serve.Chill in the refrigerator,covered with plastic wrap.

You can glaze the cut up fruit with 'sugar syrup' or apricot/ or any other fruit preserves.This will prevent the fruits from drying up and they will appear fresh for longer!

Ciabatta Bread and Spicy Guacamole sandwich

Had 'Ciabatta' bread before???  It is a crusty chewy white Italian bread. I love crusty and chewy breads!! They make great sandwiches and paninis.When I saw it at Jay-C the other day, couldn't keep my hands off of it:)....though 'white'....it's OK to eat 'white bread' once in while ...agree???

For a simple meal....this sandwich is easy to make, versatile and super delicious!!

Ingredients:
4 Ciabatta bread rolls
2 firm tomatoes sliced
1/2 cup shredded cheese
 Ground Black pepper
Salt

For  Spicy Guacamole
1 Avocado
1/4 Red onion
1 green chili/ Jalapeno finely chopped
 1/4 tsp Cumin
2tsp lemon juice
2tsp chopped cilantro
salt

Method:
1) Slice the avocado and scrape out all the flesh.
2) Finely chop the red onion
3)  Spicy Guacamole: Mix together Avocado,red onion, green chilies, salt,cumin, cilantro,lemon juice and mix.
4) Cut the ciabatta bread in the center. Apply 2tsp Guacamole. Place tomato slices.Sprinkle salt and black pepper. Top with shredded cheese.
5) You can grill it into a Panini or have as it!