On Wednesdays, we wear pink

Hello hello!

It’s been a little while… life got in the way of baking a bit, but I’m back with this ridiculously pink tart for you. This seems like the kind of thing that seems perfect for a spring party – LOOK AT HOW PINK IT IS! I’m so delighted.

The rhubarb swirls also remind me of a circus? Or something? Not sure exactly but I love them – they were so fun to play with.

Things are pretty much same same over here… this was eaten for dessert & breakfast, so what else is new. It’s such a great hybrid of tart rhubarb & raspberries that are mellowed by the vanilla and coconut milk… if someone claims they don’t like rhubarb, you might try this out on them – it’s less in-your-face rhubarby than when you use the whole stalks. I love that this is basically a vegetable dessert, too. Pink celery for the win!

I have a mama hummingbird nesting right outside my window! She is the cutest thing ever, and I’ve gotten to the point where I talk to her every morning when I see her sitting there. You would do it too, I know it! I can’t wait to see the tiny hummingbird(s?) whenever it appears… it’s been so fun to watch her build the nest, too. Nature is rad!

Happy spring! I can’t believe it’s May already.

Rhubarb Raspberry Panna Cotta w/ an Almond Poppyseed Crust

Gluten free, refined sugar free & dairy free! Yield: 1 9″ tart; serves several. Filling adapted from Pastry & Prose, here! The crust is a riff on one I’ve made a million times; you’ve seen it already in several incarnations. It can easily be grain free & paleo – just swap out the cornmeal for an equal amount of almond flour.

Word to the wise – if you top this with the rhubarb swirls, they’ll keep for a few hours but then they wilt; keep that in mind for serving if you’d like to make this ahead.

For the crust:

1.5 c almond flour
1/3 c unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3 c cornmeal
1.5 tbsp poppy seeds
heaping 1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
6 tbsp coconut oil, melted

In a large bowl, stir together almond flour, shredded coconut, cornmeal, poppy seeds, sea salt, and baking soda. Add in vanilla, maple, and melted coconut oil, and stir until completely combined. The dough will look crumbly, but you’ll be able to press it together with your fingers.
Preheat the oven to 350, and lightly grease a 9″ tart pan (w/ removable bottom) with coconut oil. Press the crust into the plate and up the sides with a spoon or your fingers, creating a smooth edge (or not, your call!). Poke the bottom with a fork a few times, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove and let cool for a few minutes.

For the panna cotta:

2 cups (approx. 1/3 lb.) chopped rhubarb — as pink as possible!
1/2 c raspberries (frozen is just fine)
2 tsp water
1/4 cup maple
2 cups coconut milk, full fat (one can)
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 packet of powdered gelatin
1/4 c cold water

Make the panna cotta filling:
In a small saucepan, combine the rhubarb, raspberries, 2 teaspoons of water, and maple. Cover and simmer over low heat until the rhubarb completely breaks down. Taste it – we love it tart, but bump up the maple a little if it’s too tart for your taste.

Add the coconut milk to the rhubarb, and re-heat the rhubarb-coconut mixture over low heat until it just reaches a simmer. Remove from the heat, and allow the mixture to steep for 30 minutes.

Toward the end of the 30 minute steep time, place the 1/4 c cold water in something large, like a mixing bowl or a large pyrex measuring cup (mine is 4c). Sprinkle the powdered gelatin over the cold water.

Return the rhubarb-coconut mixture to the stove, and re-heat again until just barely simmering, and stir in the vanilla.

Place a fine mesh strainer over the pyrex or bowl with the softened gelatin, and strain the rhubarb-cream mixture through the sieve, using a spatula to stir and press rhubarb-y coconut milk to extract every last bit. Once all liquid has been extracted, thoroughly whisk the rhubarb-coconut mixture into the softened gelatin.

Carefully pour the filling into the tart shell, then leave the tart in the refrigerator to at least four hours or overnight. Top with coconut, raspberries, or shaved rhubarb swirls if desired. Keeps well in the fridge; serve leftovers for breakfast ;)