Step 1

Combine flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a food processor. Pulse to combine.

Step 2

Add in butter and pulse until butter is in pea-sized pieces.

Step 3

Combine water, vanilla, and almond extract and drizzle over the mixture. Pulse to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs – it should not be fully combined into a ball.

Step 4

Turn out mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a disk about 1 inch thick. If you have trouble making it stick together add a few more drops of water.

Step 5

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press and form into the bottom and sides of an 8" round tart pan. Make sure to spread the dough out and up evenly to prevent an overly thick bottom or sides. You may have leftover dough.

Step 6

Chill tart pan in refrigerator while preheating the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 7

Line the dough with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake tart shell for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the foil and bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes more.

Step 9

Remove tart shell from oven and let cool.

Step 10

Puree the strawberries in a food processor until smooth. Set aside.

Step 11

Create a water bath by placing a saucepan of water over heat to simmer and placing a metal bowl unto the pan so its bottom does not touch the water.

Step 12

Combine the sugar and lemon zest together with your fingers and add to the metal bowl.

Step 13

Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Whisk in the strawberry puree.

Step 14

Cook the mixture over the simmering water, whisking constantly, until the cream reaches 180 degrees and thickens. Keep whisking while the mixture is heating up to prevent the eggs from cooking.

Step 15

Take the cream off the heat and strain it into the bowl of a food processor or blender. Let the cream rest for a bit until it cools to about 140 degrees.

Step 16

Add in the butter pieces a few at the time and combine on high speed. Once all of the butter has been added, let the mixture combine for a few minutes longer to ensure the mixture is perfectly smooth.

Step 17

Once the cream is finished pour it into a container and let it chill in the refrigerator for about half an hour before assembly.

Step 18

To Assemble:

Step 19

Spoon the strawberry lemon curd into the tart shell and spread out evenly with a small offset spatula or back of a spoon. Place back into the refrigerator for another hour to let the curd firm up more.

Step 20

Decorate top with fresh berries. Serve soon after assembly.