Memorial weekend is upon us. I decided to make a cool and refreshing dessert for our cook out.
Our family calls it “Decoration Day”. For generations it has been called Decoration Day. Unlike many families in the U.S. we actually memorialize our ancestors. We drive 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City to Henefer. A small town in rural Utah where my mother was born and raised.
We have 5 generations of our family buried in the Henefer cemetery. I remember when I was just a little girl my grandmother and her sister Erma would save soup cans, peel off the labels and use them for flower containers. They would purchase plastic flowers and put them in the cans then pour Plaster of Paris into the cans to hold the flowers in place. Aluminum foil was then wrapped around the can to make them look pretty. Oh how I wish I had a picture of those lovely cans.
We would then drive around the cemetery (sometimes in the trunk of the car) and carefully place a flower or two on 4 generations of family. I didn’t realize then how great these people were. They migrated to Utah from England for religious freedom, they gave up precious belongings and trekked with handcarts across the plains until they landed in Utah. Suffering all along the way.
This is a photo of my parents standing in this lovely cemetery.
Yes, that is sage brush in the back ground. I remember a time when the entire cemetery was sage brush. Henefer has come a long way since I was a girl. Thankfully they planted grass.
We no longer save soup cans for plastic flowers. We have stepped up to silk flowers! I decided to take the grandkids along to introduce them to our annual tradition of sticking silk flowers into the hard cemetery ground. My mother always purchases a beautiful fresh flower arrangement for her parents. The reason why fresh flowers are not used much is because deer come down from the hills and eat them.
As we drove away from the cemetery, my granddaughter said, “Thanks Grandma for taking us to the ‘groves’ “. Graves, Emi. They’re called graves. We had such a fun day.
How is that for a family tradition?
Let’s make a torte. I found this recipe more than 25 years ago in a food magazine. It was either Gourmet or Bon Appetite. For the life of me I can’t remember which. Obviously pre-computer era because I had hand written it on lined notebook paper and stuffed it in a file.
For the Lime Torte you will need:
Spread walnuts and almonds out on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Toasting the nuts brings out amazing flavor.
Transfer the nuts to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade.
To the nuts add the brown sugar.
Melted butter.
And lime zest.
Pulse several times until the nuts are finely chopped.
Pour the nut mixture into a 9-inch springform pan.
Use a piece of plastic wrap to help press the crumbs firmly up the sides and over the bottom. Place in the freezer and freeze until ready to fill.
Meanwhile make the filling. Juice several fresh limes until you have 2/3 cup. My limes are pretty small and not super juicy. I juiced about 10 or so.
Pour the juice into a large mixing bowl.
Add the sugar.
Milk.
Egg yolks.
And lime zest. Whisk together.
Place the bowl over a saucepan that has about 2-inches of water in it.
Clip on a candy thermometer and bring the water to a simmer and cook mixture until the temperature reaches 170 degrees F, whisking constantly.
NOTE: I learned that if I had used a metal bowl it would have only taken about 5-7 minutes to reach 170 degrees. Instead I kept stirring in this glass bowl to make it more visible for about 15 minutes.
Live and learn.
Remove lime mixture from heat and add 4 ounces of white chocolate.
I’m using white baking chips.
Transfer the mixture a large shallow bowl. I helps to cool the mixture off by pouring it into a cool bowl.
Place the bowl in the freezer and stir occasionally until well chilled and beginning to thicken – about 45 minutes.
While the lime mixture is chilling, pour 2 cups heavy whipping cream into a large bowl.
Beat cream until stiff peaks form.
Remove the chilled lime mixture from the freezer.
Pour over the whipped cream.
Gently fold.
Fold until the lime mixture and whipped cream and thoroughly blended.
Pour the mixture into the frozen prepared nut crust.
Smooth the top of the mixture.
For the blackberry sauce you will need:
In a medium saucepan, add the frozen berries and sugar.
Pour in the juice.
Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring the berries to a simmer.
After the mixture begins to boil, remove from the heat and cool slightly.
Pour the mixture into a food processor fitted with a metal blade and puree.
Place a metal sieve over and bowl and pour the mixture into the sieve.
Press on the solids and stir the mixture around until most of the puree have fallen into the bowl.
Discard left over seeds.
Cover sauce and refrigerate until chilled. This can be done one day in advance.
When ready to serve. Remove the frozen torte from the freezer. Run a knife around the sides of the pan.
Carefully unclasp the springform pan.
Remove ring and lift the torte from the bottom of the springform pan.
Place on a serving platter and arrange a berry mixture on the top.
Serve immediately with the blackberry sauce. Return unused torte back to the freezer.
A fresh finish to a great family tradition that I rarely complain about.
Frozen Lime Torte with Mixed Berries
This frozen lime torte is wonderful on a hot day. It's perfect for summer or any holiday you celebrate with fresh berries.
Ingredients
Nut Crust:
- 1 cup walnuts toasted
- 1 cup almonds toasted
- 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Lime Filling:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 4 oz white chocolate finely chopped
- 2 cups whipping cream
Blackberry Sauce:
- 1 16- oz package frozen blackberries
- 2/3 cup raspberry juice or other berry juice blend
- 1/2 cup sugar
Topping:
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
Instructions
Nut Crust:
-
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade pulse the toasted nuts, brown sugar and butter and blend until moist crumbs form. Pour the nuts into a 9-inch spring form pan. Using plastic wrap as an aid, press crumbs firmly up sides, then over bottom covering completely. Freeze.
Lime Filling:
-
Combine sugar, milk, egg yolks, lime juice and lime zest in a bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch the water). Whisk constantly until candy thermometer reaches 170 degrees F about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Add white chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Freeze lime mixture until cold and thickened, whisking occasionally, about 45 minutes.
-
Beat cream in large bowl until stiff. Pour cooled lime mixture over whipped cream; using rubber spatula, fold lime mixture and cream together. Pour filling over frozen pie crust. cover and freeze overnight.
Blackberry Sauce:
-
Bring blackberries, raspberry juice, and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil in heavy saucepan, stirring frequently. Cool slightly. Puree mixture in a food processor. Strain through sieve set over a bowl, pressing on solids. Chill until cold. Can be made 1 day ahead.
To serve:
-
Run a sharp knife around pan sides to loosen torte. Remove sides from spring form pan. Place on serving platter. Top with berry mixture and serve with blackberry sauce.
Wow!!!! Love your presentation. I have question, I've been looking for frozen mixed berries (black berries, red raspberries )for homemade yogurt parfaits, can you recommend any particular brand for best flavor?
Hmmmm…I'm not sure of a particular brand. I'm sure any brand would work. Fresh is always best when available.
I haven't made the torte yet, but it sounds great. (I'm not cooking right now – knee surgery last week). I always love your recipes, but I especially appreciate this post about the Henefer cemetery, your grandmother, Aunt Erma, parents, and tradition. Of course, I have a special place in my heart for Henefer and think it's great that all the people are so close to each other. Isn't it amazing that our parents still get together? Love it!
I hope we can keep this tradition alive. Henefer just isn't the same without Erma and Grandma. I miss them. Thank goodness our parents still have their good old friends and many memories.
This torte was CRAZY good, everyone loved it! Next time I may have to double de recipe, that way I may have some leftovers… Or a brother with a bigger belly!
That's great news. I'm so happy everyone loved it. Just keep the belly on your brother and not you 🙂
I'd call this a semifreddo rather than a torte! I tried to make the crust in a blender – ended up with crunchy nut butter, so not so great a plan, but it should still taste wonderful.
Nut butters are good on toast! I think you're right – it is more like a semifreddo. I've had the recipe for years and it is supposed to be a two tiered beauty, but I reduced it to create one single. It was called a torte, but your description is pretty accurate.
Exploring tastespotting and stumbled upon this gorgeous torte!
Began scrolling and realized what a small world this is! My mother's family is from henefer! I recognized the cemetary from the pictures before I even read that it was indeed henefer!
an even smaller world… my name is Chelsie, and you were my chaperone on tour in San Antonio for Clayton Productions! i just had to say hello!
I cannot wait to make this torte! It sounds completely refreshing and delicious!
Oh my gosh!!! You have to email me and tell me who your mom's family is. My grandparents owned the grocery store in town right on main street. I'm sure they would know them. This is so awesome. We just might be cousins??? Double fun to make the Clayton connection. Good times, good times. Thank you so much for commenting. This just made my day. I hope you make the torte.
Thanks for sharing your family tradition – and, of course, for this recipe. I'm so excited to try this torte. It sounds divinely refreshing, and I'm very happy to have a "summer" dessert that doesn't involve having the oven on for an extended time. Soon we'll be trying desperately to stay cool during the heat of summer!
Thank you so much for your comment. You are right…no bake for summer. Who wants to turn on the oven.
Good Morning Janet, What a lovely family tradition to remember your family which have gone before you. Oh my, this frozen lime torte looks delicious and your photographs are beautiful. I am going to print this recipe to make when our weather warms up. It is still very cold here in the North of England, it really does not feel as if Summer is almost here.
Have a lovely weekend.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Thank you, Daphne. I hope you warm up soon. Sometimes winter just seems to drag on. I would love to visit your part of the world. It is my dream.
Janet, this looks absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing your Decoration Day traditions. You always share the best recipes. I look forward to your new posts.
Thank you, Brandi. I'll try to keep the posts coming.
Go Janet!! That's a lovely tradition, and look at those kids! They're so pretty.
I can understand that whole families have been willing to take the risks of immigration. Both sides of my family came to Argentina running from a war. They came here with nothing but their own hands and knowledge of years of hard work back in Europe. They were very brave.
I´m making this cake this weekend (sans strawberries), and some friends are gonna be very happy this weekend (they can't eat flour).
The thing is that if the temperature keeps going down, I may have to put the cake in the freezer to warm it up a bit and avoid breaking my knife! We're at 30 ºF!! And I think the city is wet since last Thursday 😛
Kisses,
Dani
Hi Danhiskka, As always, thank you for your fun comments. Just remember when you are basking in sunshine during your summer. I have snow up to my knees. You might want to check out some of my warming winter recipes OR I need to move below the equator so we are on the same seasonal schedule. Stay warm.
I do! I have been banking and cooking winter recipes, but the spring and summer ones are so tempting!!
Anyway, the cold is not going to stop me this time, I can't resist citrus desserts 🙂
Your presentation is Beautiful!
Thank you, my dear.