I love berries!  They are so versatile.

In the summer, I make all kind of treats with them for obvious reasons.

I woke up craving a refreshing and light dessert this morning — maybe because of the hot weather (not solely on account of my sweet tooth ) Yes, let’s blame the weather!!

So I asked myself what kind of dessert could I make with the berries.  My schedule is tight. Family guests will arrive soon, demanding attention. “Of course,” I thought.  Let me make something QED — quick, easy, and delicious.

Well, I did.  I made what I like to call Summer Berry Tartlets.  There were already some prepackaged mini Graham Crackers pie crusts in my pantry.  All that was left to do was prepare the filling . Easy, peasy!! Of course, I had to put something familiar in the filling (I mean something Brazilian).   And so I used condensed milk (so popular in our desserts and a must-have in my pantry) and lime juice to blend the  berries that I had in the freezer.  Oh, in just a few minutes several individual pieces of goodness were ready.  No baking required!!!  Whoo-hoo.   All I had to do was to refrigerate them and go on my way.

When you have a full, busy schedule (or even when you don’t),  remind yourself of these QED beauties.  They are real time savers and such refreshing treats…

Enjoy and stay cool!

Summer Berry Tartlets

(Segment: From My Table To Yours)

By Denise Browning

Yield: 8 tartlets

Ingredients:

8 mini Graham Cracker ready pie crusts

6 oz (170g) frozen or fresh berry blend (strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 (14 oz or 396 g) can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Fresh strawberries, blackberries or blueberries, and raspberries to decorate (optional)

1/4 cup apricot preserves to glaze the berries

Directions:

Blend the berries, lime juice, condensed milk, and heavy cream well in the blender until obtaining a homogeneous,  thick, and creamy mixture.  Then, with the aid of a spoon,  pass the mixture through a sieve and reserve.

Pour the chilled mixture into the individual pie crusts, place in a deep baking tray, cover  with  plastic film, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Gently wash and pat dry the berries.  Remove strawberry leaves.  Slice each strawberry in half (lengthwise) and then, slice crosswise.

Decorate the tartlets on top with the berries. Gently heat 1/4 cup of the apricot preserves in the microwave (50% heat power) for 40 seconds.  As it melts, thin slightly with 1-2 teaspoon(s) of water and strain to remove any fruit pieces.  Brush the melted preserves on top of the fresh fruit.

  

Chill for at least 20 minutes to set the glaze.  Serve chilled and enjoy!!!

________________________________________________________________________

Receita em Português:

Tortinhas de Frutas Vermelhas

(Segmento: From My Table To Yours)

Por Denise Browning

Rendimento: 8 tortinhas médias

Ingredientes:

8 crostas de biscoito pronta

170g da mistura de morango, amora e framboesa frescos ou congelados (ou somente de morangos)

1/4 xícara de chá de suco de limão fresco

1 lata de leite condensado

2 colheres de sopa de creme de leite de caixinha

Morango e outras frutas vermelhas para decorar

1/4 xícara de chá de geléia de damasco para pincelar

Modo de Preparo:

Bata bem no liquidificador as frutas vermelhas, o suco de limão, o leite condensado e o creme de leite até obter uma mistura homogênea e cremosa. Em seguida, passe a mistura pela peneira com o auxílio de uma colher e reserve.

Despeje a mistura nas tortinhas de biscoito individuais, ponha dentro de uma bandeija funda ou assadeira, cubra com filme plástico e refrigere por umas 4 horas.

Lave delicadamente as frutas vermelhas e enxugue, ou simplesmente deixe enxugar  ao ar livre por completo.  Retire a folha dos morangos, fatie ao meio cada um no sentido horizontal, e depois no vertical em varias fatias finas. Decore o topo das tortinhas com as frutas vermelhas. Aqueça 1/4 xícara de chá de geléia no microondas (50% de potência) por uns 40 segundos. Assim que derreter, misture 1 a 2 colher(es) de chá de água e peneire para remover qualquer pedaço de fruta. Pincele a geléia derretida no topo das frutas. Refrigere por uns 20 minutos e sirva gelada.

________________________________________________________________________