Christmas Dessert Tarte Tatin

tarte tatinTarte Tatin, a delicious French style pastry

As Janine recalls from her childhood, "The weather in Morocco is perfect for growing fruits and vegetables. Morocco might not be a rich country according to monetary wealth, but the soil is fertile and the temperature moderate, almost tropical, typically between sixty-three and eighty-four degrees Fahrenheit. Our friends and family planted groves of oranges, grapefruit, and lemons. It was also a productive environment for bananas.

The only dessert was fruit, but it was delicious and nourishing." -- from pages 21-22 of French Twist, her memoir.

She and her family enjoyed the culture there, but they also kept many of their customs from France and Spain. Janine continues that tradition with her love of cooking, especially in preparing for festive holidays such as Christmas.

"I love doing the cooking and plan the Christmas dinner. It is the best time of the year to bake the delicious Tarte Tatin."

According to Wikipedia, "The tarte Tatin is a pastry in which the fruit (usually apples) is caramelized in butter and sugar before the tart is baked. Named after the Tatin sisters who invented it and served it in their hotel as its signature dish, it originated in France but has spread to other countries over time."

When you read the excellent memoir from Janine Winters you learn about her love of good cooking, how she ran a French style restaurant for years, and how much she appreciates the art of preparing good food and sharing it with friends and family.