Happy Birthday Dan!

Today is my friend Dan’s birthday – world traveler, photographer, and all around good guy! To celebrate the occasion, I made this fruit tart – it’s the perfect dessert given the bounty of fresh fruit available this time of year. Happy birthday Dan, hope you have a magnificent day!

For the crust:

• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 1 stick of cold butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening

For the filling:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• fresh fruit – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mango

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and butter. Pulse until crumbly, then add the ice water. Flatten dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 400º, on a floured surface, roll out dough, and ease into a 9″ tart pan. Prick the bottom with a fork, fill with pie weights (uncooked beans or rice) on parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes. Remove pie weights, prick bottom again with a fork, and bake for another 6 minutes until pale gold. Let cool.
3. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each addition, until smooth. With a pastry brush, brush a thin layer of chocolate on the bottom of the crust. This helps to keep the crust from getting soggy. Refrigerate for 15 minutes until chocolate hardens.
4. Place cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl, combine with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread filling into tart shell, top with fruit. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.