La Tarte Aux Myrtilles

The French invented La Tarte Aux Myrtilles, when the mountains of the French Alps gave them wild berries called Myrtilles (or bilberry).

The foodie nation really seems to have magic in their hands when it comes to food. Even the most popular French food today was either created because of necessity, poverty or in some other dire circumstances. And today these dishes are served at five-star restaurants, all over the world with a hefty price tag.

But don’t worry!  Since most of these dishes were invented at home by regional French people, they can be imitated in your homes too.

Health Benefits:

Various medical studies have shown that bilberries have nutrients that improve the functions of eyes greatly. If you are going to be making a tart any day, might as well make one with bilberries since this wild fruit has a number of health benefits and treats various ailments.

Ingredients

all-purpose flour: 1 1/4 cup

tsp of sugar: 2

tsp of salt: 1/2

stick cold unsalted butter (sliced into small pieces): 1

granulated sugar: 2/3 cups

confectioners' sugar: 2 tbsp

myrtilles (or blueberries): 3 cups

raspberry preserves: 1/3 cup

How To Make La Tarte Aux Myrtilles

1. Pour sugar, salt and flour in a sifter and sift them into a bowl.
2. Add sliced butter in the flour and blend them together until it looks like coarse cornmeal.
3. Spray 4 tablespoon of ice cold water on the dough while mixing after every 1 tablespoon. Make a ball of the dough, wrap it in plastic and place it in the refrigerator for an hour.
4. In a small saucepan add granulated sugar and myrtilles and cook them on medium flame until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the myrtilles from the pan and keep on cooking the sugar until it has thickened.
5. Return myrtilles back to saucepan and remove from heat.
6. Preheat the oven at 375° F.
7. On a floured surface, flatten the dough using a rolling pin into a ¼" thick pastry. Place it in a 9" tart pan and prick it all over using a fork.
8. Cover the pastry pan with an aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. When done, remove and cool completely.
9. Once cooled, spread the raspberry preserves in the tart shell and add a scoop of myrtilles berries on the top. Garnish with confectioners' sugar and serve the delicious La Tarte Aux Myrtilles.

Trivia:

• Bilberry is a tough plant that can survive in the wild for 2 years.
• For centuries, people have used the fruit and leaves of bilberry for treating various diseases.

In 16th century, syrup of bilberry was used to treat diarrhea.