Blueberry and Pistachio Tart
If you read my blog enough, you will know how crazy I am about my two dogs, Baci and Bizou. They drive me crazy sometimes, and have more than once brought me to near bankruptcy with all the trips to the emergency hospital but there’s something priceless about loyalty and unconditional love.
I never did tell you about my very first dog did I? When my husband’s dog gave birth, he had promised me the pick of the litter. I chose Feliz – who had a gorgeous pale coat, broad head and always inquisitive eyes. We used to have “this thing” where I would blow into her face and she would stick her tongue out as if she was blowing kisses right back at me. This one kept me company when my husband left for New York to take his MBA.
When I left for Australia, I would call home often and my Dad would put me on speaker phone. He told me that Feliz would run up and down the house when she heard my voice, looking for me and trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. I found it uncanny how even after a year of being away she would still look for me when she heard my voice on the phone.
.
Feliz
Over the years, as life got in the way, I called home less and wondered less frequently how she was doing. At the back of my mind I always knew there were always going to be people taking care of her – so less and less did I feel like she was still my dog.
Last week, my Dad broke the news that Feliz, who had over the years gotten weaker with age, had deteriorated dramatically. She couldn’t stand up and had refused to eat. The doctor said that her kidneys had failed and that she was suffering from bone disease. My Mom told me that Feliz was in pain and had been crying.
I called home one last time and asked them to put me on speaker phone. I wanted to tell her that I loved her and that everything was going to be better. They told me that she lifted her head, wagged her tail, tried to stand up but couldn’t.
I knew then it was time to say goodbye.
Blueberry and Pistachio Tart
Pistachio and Blueberry Tart
Sweet Shortcrust Pastry
- 225 grams flour
- 20 grams sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 120 grams butter, cut into cubes, cold
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water
- Sift together the flour, sugar and salt. Using the tips of your fingers, incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles bread crumbs. Set aside.
- Beat the egg yolks into the flour mixture and add the water, a little at a time until you form a cohesive dough that comes together, the dough should be slightly sticky.
- Form the dough into a disc and wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Pistachio and Blueberry Filling
- 125 grams butter, softened
- 125 grams icing sugar
- 3 eggs
- Seeds of one scrapped vanilla bean
- 80 grams ground pistachios
- 45 grams almond meal
- 30 grams flour
- strawberry jam
- one punnet of bluberries
- Cream the butter and the sugar together until the mixture is pale and light. Add the eggs, one at a time and scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go along. Add the vanilla bean seeds, the ground pistachios, almond meal and flour, incorporate the batter well.
- To assemble, roll out the pastry to line 6 mini tarts. Trim the excess on the sides. Chill the pastry for around 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Pre-heat a fan forced oven to 180c.
- Spread some strawberry jam on the base of the shell and top with the pistachio filling and place about three or four blueberries in the center of the tart.
- Bake for around 15 to 18 minutes.
Trissalicious 
This just brought a lump to my throat. Came here via your lovely pic on FoodPress, will come again.
I’m really sorry to hear that. I recently lost my hamster Mario due to old age and I was depressed – and compared to loss of hamster, I know loss of a dog is something even harder to bear. I believe that our pets and loved ones still live on in other forms, for energy can never be created or destroyed. Take care and cherish the good memories. xoxo
Oh Trissa! I’m so sorry! This post reminded me so much of when I lost my own beloved dog. Thinking about him still brings a tear to my eyes. Funny how those things manage to wriggle their way so deeply into your heart. Hugs to you x
oh trissa, you’ve brought tears to my eyes. I have never owned a dog but my fiance had to leave his joyous dog Bella to move in with me and he misses her so much. She howls like a dog in tears when she hears his voice. Your dog is lucky to have lived in a loving home and be looked after by wonderful people. No matter how far away they are.
*hugs*
A tough time for you, though it surely sounds like she had a lovely life.
Good bye Feliz…I know Trissalicious loved you dearly….my condolscences Triss! Im sre she would have loved your tart!
2 years ago I had to say goodbye to Kelly, my American Eskimo. It is heart-wrenching but I knew that her pain and suffering mattered more than my need to have her around until the bitter end. It’s tough because this is family. My thoughts are with you!
ahh just stumble upon your blog and this is the first I read 😦 I am trully sorry for your lost … hugs
i recently just lost the dog with which i spent my childhood–it tears a person to shreds, that’s for sure. sorry for your loss!
I am so sorry. I once had the same experience and it was heart broken. Be strong
It’s hard to lose a faithful friend. I’m sorry:-(
I’m so sorry. The poor puppy. The tart looks great.
Sorry to hear Trish. Having owned pets, I know how heartbreaking it is to lose them- they’re part of the family. I have a beagle and a british shorthair cat.
The last line about the phone convo..so sweet that she stood up.
Awwhhh, Goodbye Feliz….. Nice memories huh Trissa 🙂
So sorry to hear about Feliz! Hope you are doing ok…
Oh my god I am almost crying! We have a black labrador and it makes me so sad to think of the day he will be taken away 😦 They are the loveliest dogs ever.
Trissa, this is so heartbreaking. I’m a two-dog owner myself (to think I was terrified of them as a child), and I know what that unconditional love means. Touching story!
Big hugs. 🙂 totally understand how you are feeling right now.
What a touching story. I visited to compliment the photo of the tart and wasn’t expecting that.
Sensuous photo. Thanks for sharing the great recipe and story.
WOW, this was beautiful..I share the same feelings with you about pets. RIP Feliz
My eyes are wet for Feliz. Saying goodbye is never easy. But always remember all the very good times that you shared together. All my best to you and Feliz, Steven
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish you and your family all the best. I hope these beautiful little tarts did at least a little bit to improve your spirits!
Oh, Trissa, although I have never owned a pet and am not entirely an animal lover, my heart goes out to her. I hope she gets some relieve from her sufferings.
O no Trissa! That is so sad… Even though she was not close to you anymore in terms of geographic location… it is always sooo hard to lose a pet. But it does sound like she had a very good life and was loved by your parents and by you… Your pistachio and blueberry tart is a pretty farewell!
This looks really delicious!
Trissa, so sorry. xox
I’m sorry to hear about Feliz, Trissa. I’m glad that you had each other and that you got to say goodbye, though. My boyfriend just learned today that his high school cat, Blue, passed away. I know they’ll always live on in your memories though. Beautiful tartlet, too. Never thought to combine pistachios and blueberries.
She feels the love you gave her, and you will always feel the love she gave you. Please take comfort in that x
Awww, so sad.
Nice tribute. It’s always sad to say goodbye to our four-legged friends.
So sorry, my dear. Big hugs, and just remember how much Feliz was loved and, clearly, knew she was loved.
What a wonderful, yet sad post. I am so sorry for your loss, but I admire your courage to know when it was finally time to say goodbye. You and your family will be in my prayers, I know how hard it is to lose such an incredible companion.
Keep strong,
Carolyn
Oh Trissa, I’m so sorry to hear this…big hug to you.
Call me a loser – but I got teary reading this.
She looks like a beautiful dog.
Poor Feliz. I hope she is happy and comfortable now.
I have read your blog without fail for so long, admired your beautiful photography, tried your recipes, enjoyed your writing but have been too shy to make a comment……until today. Losing a faithful companion is never easy and I feel your pain because I have experienced it as well. I am so, so sorry.
awww…hope you’re doing ok. We lost our pet poodle just 2 years ago and we did not get new dog anymore. It’s was hard to see our pet get sick and in pain in his final weeks.
I had to say goodbye to my dog Chaka over 10 years ago. She was a gorgeous Black and Tan Rottweiller. Big Block head well muscled body and the kindest and most wonderful companion. She had drunk some radiator fluid that caused her to have renal failure. If I ever find out who I may not be a nice person anymore. Enough, Chaka was my ideal dog and she even patrolled the neighborhood when someone like my aged dad would leave the
gate open. I know how you feel about having to say goodbye to your friend.
What a bittersweet story–it’s got me choked up. I never got to properly say goodbye to my favorite dog (he got lost and we never found him) so the lack of closure lingers still despite the many years since it happened. Saying a final goodbye to a pet is never easy.
SO so sad…. I love my the puppies I have had through my life…
🙂
oh dear! I am so sorry Trissa.. I know how hard it is..HUGS ..take care dear…
I’m so sorry to hear about Feliz. she looks like such a gorgeous dog. I know exactly what you eman about them being so loyal. I just cried reading this short post, because I was thinking about Max. Hope you get through this difficult time, I’m glad you have the other two to keep you company =D
So sorry to hear about Feliz:-(
Aw… This brought me to tears 😦 I’m so sorry, Trissa!
Oh, Trissa! This is so sad but unfortunately part of life. So heartwarming that she still remembers you though, and all you can hope is for her to be in comfort.
So sad to hear the news! Trissa, hope you get well from the pain of loss.
Life is so precious, yet vulnerable….(Speechless)