Chocolate Pecan Pudding Tart

The big question of the day - what do I have available and what could I make? Dinner at the Andersons is using up left overs, so I don't have to prepare a night time meal. Spotting a box of pudding mix and knowing what other ingredients I have it was basically a no brainer - some kind of dessert. I chose to make a chocolate pecan pudding tart. Simple to make and totally inexpensive. This type of dessert is one that I would not be ashamed to make for an intimate dinner party with friends.
For the tart crust:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 stick of cold salted butter - slice by the tablespoon marks
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• cold water to combine

1. In a food processor add the flour, sugar and the sliced butter. Pulse 12 times.
2. Slowly add in ice cold water as you pulse until the dough comes off the sides.
3. Transfer to plastic wrap and form a round ball then flatten into a disk.
4. Put the dough in the refrigerator to chill while you make the pudding mix according to directions for a one crust pie.

For the filling:

• 1 box of My-T-Fine Pudding Mix
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup pecans - finely chopped

When the pudding is cooked, transfer to a bowl. Add in the pecans and stir. Cover with plastic wrap so a skin does not form. Set aside.

1. Take the pie dough out of the refrigerator and roll out on a floured surface. You want to dough to be an inch or so more than the tart shell.
2. Lightly press into the shell - bottom and sides.
3. Using your rolling pin, roll it over the tart pan to remove the excess dough.
4. With a fork poke liberally on all sides and the bottom of the shell.
5. Bake in a preheated 350 degree over for 45 - 50 minutes until pale golden brown.
6. Allow the tart to cool completely.
7. Pour the pudding into the tart shell and smooth out.
8. Cover again with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving time.

For plating - top the sliced pieces with whipped cream and a pecan. Slice some strawberries (leaving the green stem on) and fan them out for a more elegant presentation. We all know how well strawberries and chocolate go!