• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Dessert First

a san francisco food and travel blog | all things sweet

  • About Me
    • about pastrygirl
    • faq
    • press
    • Contact Me
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Books
  • Recipes
    • Breads
    • Cakes
    • Candy
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Custards
    • Fruit
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastry
    • Tarts
  • Sweet San Francisco
    • Sweet Spots
    • SF Events
  • Travel
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • California
    • Hawaii
  • reviews and recs
    • Cookbooks
    • Chocolate
    • Tools
  • Conversions

{Cookbook Review} Pure Dessert, Pure Inspiration

Sep 11 by Anita 28 Comments

Choccitrustart3

When I met up with Veronica of Veronica’s Test Kitchen a few weeks ago, not only did I get the pleasure of a fun night out with a fellow baker, but I was also clued in to an early release of Alice Medrich’s newest book, Pure Dessert – one I’d been eagerly awaiting. Veronica had just taken a class earlier in the day from Medrich at my alma mater, and what surprise did Medrich have in store for her students but several copies of her latest tome, fresh from the printer! Of course my immediate question was, “Are there any copies left?” Veronica, who shares my ardor (and impatience) for new cookbooks, very sweetly had a copy set aside for me when she returned to class the following day, for which I’m happily indebted to her. Thanks so much, sweetie!

In a sea of lookalike cookbook releases, many of them tired riffs on dusty old themes, Medrich’s book is an elegant, assertive breath of fresh air. Moving far beyond her familiar domain of chocolate, she re-examines the very concept of dessert from ingredient up, espousing her new philosophy of simplicity and purity. There are no elaborate, multi-component desserts or fancy, cutting-edge techniques in this book; instead, Medrich returns to the basics and turns them inside out, reinventing them into something new and exciting.

Medrich does what I would love to do all day long (alas, until I find someone to pay me for it, I must fit kitchen time in with the rest of real life): experiment in her kitchen. She takes apart recipes, examines methods and ingredients, and hones everything down to reach the most perfect, purest expression of flavor. Her boundless curiosity and rigorous methods are illuminating and inspiring; like the very best standard-bearers of any field, she makes possibilities seem endless and exploration an exhilaration. I’ve had people ask me, “well, how many desserts could there be? After you’re done a chocolate cake and a vanilla cake and a strawberry tart and a blueberry pie, haven’t you pretty much made everything?” Medrich’s book is a resounding no to that sentiment and an exuberant yes to experimentation, creativity, and imagination.

In her book, Medrich plays with the variety of ingredients, new and old, available to bakers: buckwheat and kamut flours in her scones, kafir cheese in her tarts, sesame oil and muscovado sugar in her cakes. She reconsiders baking techniques and recipes with the mind of a scientist: cakes are made with both cold and room temperature butter; spices are incorporated into batter or sprinkled directly over just-baked cookies; tea infusions are made with both hot and cold cream. Her thoughtful reasoning, and her dissection of her experiments, leads to some fascinating discoveries and a greater understanding of how baking works and how to best use various ingredients in this process.

The result is a wonderfully eclectic, marvelously original, and deeply personal collection of recipes. Like some of my other favorite recent cookbooks (Kate Zuckerman’s The Sweet Life, Pichet Ong’s The Sweet Spot, and of course Dorie Greenspan’s Baking: From My Home to Yours), Medrich’s book moves beyond a mere compilation of desserts to a glimpse inside the author’s mind and her thoughts and feelings – you share in her ideas writ tantalizingly in sugar, chocolate, fruit, and honey. I found what Medrich had to say enormously captivating. She wants one to see baking the same way cooking is being viewed today, as the search to best express the qualities and flavor of an ingredient. Baking doesn’t have to mean tons of white sugar and whipped cream everywhere; it also doesn’t have to mean following the same rigid rules to get the exact same result every time. It can mean using unrefined sugar or honey to give new nuances of sweetness to custards, or using whole grains to add nutty dimension to shortbread, or cooking fruit to enhance its flavor before turning it into ice cream.

Inspired is the perfect word for how you will feel after reading this book. You will be inspired to run to the grocery store and pick up ingredients you had never used before in baking. You will be inspired to look at the ingredients you have in your pantry with a new eye. You will be inspired to look at a basket of berries, or a jar of honey, and think about how to best capture and showcase it in a cake, or ice cream, or cookie. You will be inspired to know that you don’t need to make a multi-layer cake or an elaborate composed dessert or use ten different pastry techniques to make something sweet and satisfying.

One of the many desserts that caught my eye as I was leafing through the book was Medrich’s Bittersweet Citrus Tart with Jasmine Cream. You may remember that she had a similar recipe in her Bittersweet cookbook, the tempting Bittersweet Chocolate Tartlets. Here, they are reimagined in a more elegant incarnation, with a deliciously grown-up combination of flavors. One thing I like about Medrich is that she is unafraid to reexamine and redo her own recipes. There is no resting on her laurels, only a constant drive to update and improve. The new version of her tart has a ganache-like layer of citrus-hinted chocolate in a crisp buttery tart shell. Infused with the zest of pink grapefruit and blood oranges, enriched with butter and egg, the chocolate is as luxuriously smooth as a truffle center and pleasantly tangy to the taste. Medrich places a dollop of jasmine scented cream on top, but I took it a step further and turned it into a delicate ice cream. A scoop of this ethereal, floral ice cream make s refreshing and intriguing foil to the robust richness of the tart.

Pure Dessert should be available in most bookstores by now, so you can see for yourself what Veronica and I have been raving about. As an inveterate bedtime reader of cookbooks, I can vouch that this book has not left my nightstand since I’ve gotten it!

Choccirtustart_3   

Bittersweet Citrus Tart

adapted from Alice Medrich’s Pure Dessert

makes one 9 1/2 in tart or (6) 3 1/2 in tarts

Crust

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup (4 1/2 oz) flour

Filling

8 oz semisweet chocolate (62% preferred, I used Guittard 61%)

5 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon grated blood (or regular) orange zest

1/2 teaspoon grated pink grapefruit zest

1 large egg yolk, room temperature

1/4 cup boiling water

For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon.

Add in the flour and mix until combined. You can let the dough sit for a few minutes to firm up if it seems too soft to manipulate.

Grease the bottom and sides of your tart pan(s)  – I suggest ones with removable bottoms to make it easier to remove the tarts after baking. Press the tart dough into the bottom and sides of the tart pans, taking care to spread the dough as evenly and thinly as possible (this is not difficult but may take some time and patience.)

Bake the tart shells in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the shells appear golden brown and firm. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.

For the filling: Combine the chocolate, butter, and citrus zest in a bowl and set over a saucepan of simmering water to create a bain-marie. Stir frequently to ensure the chocolate and butter melt together evenly. When the mixture is completely melted, take off the heat and set aside.

Place the egg yolk in a small bowl and slowly whisk in the boiling water, taking care not to cook the egg. Place the bowl over the simmering water and whisk the egg mixture continually until it reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F.

Pour the egg through a strainer into the chocolate mixture and stir gently to combine – try to avoid creating air bubbles in the mixture.

Pour the filling into the tart shells and spread evenly. Place the tarts in a covered container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 to 4 hours to set the filling.

When you ready to serve the tarts, take them out of the refrigerator about half an hour beforehand to let it soften and regain the shine on its surface.

Jasmine Ice Cream

makes about 1 quart

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups milk

4 tablespoons loose jasmine tea (leaves or pearls will work)

1/2 cup sugar

pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan and place on stove over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, heat until the mixture just comes to a boil.

Take mixture off heat and let cool to room temperature. Pour into a container, cover, and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight. You may want to check the mixture while it is chilling to make sure it has not become too strongly flavored from the tea.

Strain the mixture to remove all the loose tea. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Tagged with: Alice Medrich + Pure Dessert + Bittersweet Citrus Tart + jasmine ice cream

Bite This!

Filed Under: Chocolate, Cookbooks, Ice Cream, Recipes, Tarts

Related Posts

  • A Busy Weekend Including Bake Sale for Japan
  • Theo Chocolate Stout CakeTheo Chocolate Stout Cake with Mint Whipped Cream
  • Sugar High Friday #16: Strawberry Rose Cakelets
  • Cupcakes of Love (Sugar High Friday 23)
  • From the Pantry: Almond Shortbread with Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Ganache
« La Festa al Fresco: Lemon Verbena, The Scent of Summer
Tales of the Elephant Heart Plum »

Comments

  1. 1

    Kat says

    Sep 11 at 2:10 am

    I just saw this book on Amazon. Will add it to my list. This tart and ice cream sound really good right now!

    Reply
  2. 2

    monica glass says

    Sep 11 at 3:07 am

    and you write such inspiring posts, anita, that make me want to run out and grab the cookbook! i’m surprised but i haven’t even looked at this book yet…it’s now on today’s to-do list!

    such beauty in a simple tart. the grapefruit zest is a bold but alluring decision, and i really like the idea of jasmine ice cream!

    Reply
  3. 3

    veron says

    Sep 11 at 5:40 am

    Well said Anita! Alice’s book definitely feels like a breath of fresh air, doesn’t it? Your chocolate citrus tart looks divine and how creative of you to take the jasmine cream further. Like you, the book has not left my side at all. i even take it with me to work to read during the lunch time break!
    Pichet Ong’s book is my next target :). You and Mary(Alpineberry) have me convinced!

    Reply
  4. 4

    Ellie says

    Sep 11 at 6:32 am

    Oooer! I absolutely ADORE Alice Medrich, and I love that tart pastry just as much 😀 This looks sensational, and I’ll have to try and get my hands on this new book of hers!

    Reply
  5. 5

    Mandy says

    Sep 11 at 7:10 am

    This is beautiful, Anita. I am intrigued by the flavor combination. Do you think lemon zest will work in the tart?

    Reply
  6. 6

    Deborah says

    Sep 11 at 7:35 am

    What a wonderful cookbook review. You said it all so eloquently. Now I must get this cookbook!

    Reply
  7. 7

    Garrett says

    Sep 11 at 11:17 am

    I just learned to make tarts from a friend, now I just need to get some pans so I can attempt this!

    Reply
  8. 8

    bea at La tartine gourmande says

    Sep 11 at 6:41 pm

    Another great dessert Anita. Oh and you know how much I love tarts. Nice nice!

    Reply
  9. 9

    brilynn says

    Sep 11 at 6:53 pm

    Beautiful!
    Another cookbook to add to my ever growing wish list… Christmas isn’t too far off, is it?

    Reply
  10. 10

    Tartelette says

    Sep 11 at 9:37 pm

    Your writing skills are beyond exceptional! The tarts sound divine with the orange zest and I can only imagine the jasmine ice cream…divine!

    Reply
  11. 11

    Big Boys Oven says

    Sep 12 at 2:11 am

    Bravo…… so elegant and so lovely the way you interpret ‘Pure Dessert”…. a book that should be on the shelf.

    Reply
  12. 12

    Big Boys Oven says

    Sep 12 at 2:14 am

    Such a pieces of art…… love the way you interpret “Pure Dessert”…. definitely a book to have.

    Reply
  13. 13

    peabody says

    Sep 12 at 12:13 pm

    Pure…joy! Yum.

    Reply
  14. 14

    Laura says

    Sep 13 at 1:05 am

    Exquisite Anita and thanks for the heads up on the book I’ve been very well behaved recently, it must be at least 2 months since I bought a baking book, I think I deserve a little treat!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Ivonne says

    Sep 13 at 6:27 am

    Anita!

    I’d bookmarked this book as soon as I heard about it. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

    Your tarts are just gorgeous!

    Reply
  16. 16

    Madam Chow says

    Sep 13 at 7:07 am

    I’ve been an Alice Medrich fan since 1983, when I discovered what chocolate should taste like at her Cocolat stores in the Bay Area. This book has been added to my list on Amazon! Thanks so much for the great review!

    Reply
  17. 17

    Kate says

    Sep 13 at 7:30 am

    Hey Anita, this jasmine cream has brought back to me the flavours of the one i had at Ye Shanghai – Marco Polo – Hk on my wedding anniversary .It was truly the best i ever had. The tart here looks fantastic , just in time when i discovered a new found love for tarts .The candied orange really seals the perfect combination of flavours. Beautiful presentation.

    Reply
  18. 18

    Camila says

    Sep 13 at 11:51 am

    I just have to ay that all of your post are wonderfull, the writing and teh recipes and just everthing and whit this one was not diferent… the tart looks expetacular!

    Reply
  19. 19

    Jessica "Su Good Eats" says

    Sep 13 at 5:31 pm

    I was going to review this book on my blog, but I guess I don’t have to because your description was so elegant. This book inspired me to make a cottage cheese ice cream today (recipe coming soon on my site). I kept things simple (basically just cottage cheese and sugar) and YUM, was it good.

    Reply
  20. 20

    Mallow says

    Sep 13 at 5:52 pm

    I can’t wait to get my hands on that book!

    Reply
  21. 21

    Amy says

    Sep 13 at 9:45 pm

    Great review! *adds to wishlist* Those tarts look amazing.

    Reply
  22. 22

    Flo Bretzel says

    Sep 14 at 12:52 am

    Your pictures are beautiful.

    Reply
  23. 23

    Anita says

    Sep 14 at 10:41 am

    Kat,
    It’s a really great book – I think I might like it best out of all of Medrich’s books!

    Monica,
    Thank you! I guess I was “inspired” by the book:) There are some really wonderful ideas in there!

    Veron,
    I know you’re having as great a time with this book as I am!:) Can’t wait to see what you do with Pichet’s book!

    Ellie,
    If you liked her other books, you’ll really love this one! And yes, isn’t that tart pastry the best!

    Mandy,
    Thanks! I’ve had lemon and chocolate together, so I think it would work, although it would be a sharper, tarter taste so you might want to experiment with how much lemon zest to use and the bitterness of the chocolate…

    Deborah,
    Thank you! I’m always glad to share my exciting new cookbook finds!

    Garrett,
    This a great tart to do – very tasty results from minimal effort. Hope you enjoy!

    Bea,
    Thank you! I am on sort of tart kick right now – must be because of fall!

    Brilynn,
    Thank you! Definitely a book to put on the Xmas wish list – along with all the other cookbooks coming out:)

    Helene,
    Thank you! I have to tell you something, the cookbook actually reminded me a lot of you and how you play around and experiment in your kitchen! So this is quite a compliment coming from you:)

    Big Boys,
    Thank you! Definitely a great addition to any baker’s bookshelf!

    Peabody,
    Thanks! It was quite yummy!

    Laura,
    Thank you! This is definitely a great way to treat yourself…2 months! Wow, that’s a long time to go without new cookbooks!:)

    Ivonne,
    Thank you! I think you’ll really love this book too, it’s so charming and creative!

    Madam Chow,
    So lucky to have gotten to visit the Cocolat stores – I missed out on them! This is one of her best books, I think you’ll enjoy it!

    Kate,
    Thank you! And such wonderful memories of your anniversary – make me want to visit HK!

    Camila,
    Thank you for such kind compliments! I really liked this recipe, glad you enjoyed it too!

    Jessica,
    Definitely you should review this book on your site – I love reading what others have to say about this book! Your ice cream sounds delicious, there are so many more recipes from there I’m dying to try!

    Mallow,
    It’s a really great book – I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

    Amy,
    Thank you! It was a fun recipe in a great book – I’m sure you’ll love it!

    Flo,
    Thank you! I try to take nice pictures, thank you for the compliment!

    Reply
  24. 24

    Elle says

    Sep 14 at 9:26 pm

    The photo of that creamy ice cream and decadent looking tart got my attention, but the best part about this post is your writing. You have distilled the spirit of the new cookbook to it’s essence and made it a must read, especially for long time fans of Alice’s like me. Excellent!

    Reply
  25. 25

    Rosa says

    Sep 17 at 6:12 am

    A wonderful combination of flavors! That dessert is deadly and your pictures are amazing!…

    Reply
  26. 26

    Anita says

    Sep 21 at 12:08 pm

    Elle,
    Thank you for the wonderful compliments – I hoped I could do justice to Alice’s book! I’m sure you’ll enjoy her book just like all her others!

    Rosa,
    Thank you! It was a great recipe to try out from her book!

    Reply
  27. 27

    Laura at Blame It on Paris says

    Sep 29 at 5:43 pm

    I love candied grapefruit dipped in chocolate or accompanying chocolate, so I’m really curious to try this recipe. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    Reply
  28. 28

    Rachel says

    Jan 7 at 7:54 am

    Hi! I went to tante marie too!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





About Me
Mentions in the Press
Want to go to pastry school?
Email me

subscribe to receive posts in your inbox

Archives

best of dessert first


The Making of Macarons (Sucre Cuit Style)

Hong Kong Eggettes (Daan Jai)


Tis the Season (Chocolate Mint Macarons)

A Better Brioche


Consider the Humble Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Feast of Figs


Pure Dessert, Pure Inspiration (Chocolate Citrus Tart)

My Own Remembrance of Things Past: Daan Tats


The Slow Drip of Coffee on a Languorous Summer's Day

Still Life of Strawberry Tart

disclosure

This site uses affiliate links. Purchasing through the links will give this site commissions. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

my cookbooks



contact me

Please e-mail anita {at} dessertfirstgirl {dot} com with all collaboration inquiries, pastry questions, or just to say hi! I look forward to hearing from you!
  • home
  • my books
  • recipes
  • sweet san francisco
  • reviews
  • conversions
  • shop
  • archives
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2006–2025 Anita Chu. All Rights Reserved. Design by Deluxe Designs