How to Have a 'Berry-Licious' Summer!

sets the stage for a delicious and simple strawberry tart to share with friends and family, but as berry season continues here in New England, don't rule out blueberries and raspberries.

Below is the easiest and most rewarding recipe to make after an afternoon of picking your favorite fruit, and all you need is a quart of berries and a handful of ingredients to savor the tastes and make some memories of a favorite summertime pastime.

Fruit Tart (insert seasonal berry!)

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 quart fresh berries (strawberry, blueberry and raspberry)
• 1 pkg. frozen puff pastry sheets
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. butter
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1tbls. milk 
• 1 tbls. flour
• Iced or whipped cream
• Fresh mint for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Thaw and roll out one sheet puff pastry crust, being careful to flour surface and rolling pin so dough does not stick.
Trim 3, 1in. pieces from either end of pastry sheet.

Using milk as a binder, use trimmings to build a ledge 3 tiers high on each end of remaining pastry sheet. Press down with tongs of a fork to secure.

Pierce pastry sheet with a fork and line with foil, adding pastry weights or rice to insure pastry lays flat during baking.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes (or according to package instructions). Remove from oven and cool.

Wash berries thoroughly in a strainer under cool running water.

Husk berries and discard stems. Trim 1/8 in. from top of berries and set aside in a bowl. If using strawberries, quarter or halve each berry depending on size. If using blueberries or raspberries, leave whole. (if using blueberries, one extra cup of whole berries will be needed for sauce, as they are too small to trim).

Add trimmings of berries to a saucepan with sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and butter. Simmer over low heat until dry ingredients and butter have dissolved and berries are soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool.

Puree cooked berry mixture in a blender until smooth.

Arrange fresh berries onto pastry shell and pour cooked sauce evenly over entire tart.

Top with fresh whipped cream or your favorite ice cream. Garnish with mint and serve.

Visual recipe follows.

Quonset View Farm - strawberries,
895 Middle Road. Phone: (401) 683-1254. Open daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. June - early July.

Sweet Berry Farm - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries
915 Mitchell's Lane, Middletown. Phone: (401) 847-3912. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.