Raspberry Brulee Tart

Fresh raspberries and a brulee topping contrast with the thick vanilla custard filling. A lovely summer tart.

• Ready In: 6 hrs 45 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 tart

Ingredients

• 1  vanilla bean
• 3⁄4 pint heavy cream
• 1  egg
• 3  egg yolks
• 2  tablespoons caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 1  cup fresh raspberry
• 5  tablespoons confectioners' sugar

• Tart Pastry

• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  pinch salt
• 1⁄4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 6  tablespoons butter, diced
• 2  egg yolks
•  freshly grated orange zest (from 1 orange)
• 1  tablespoon  egg white, lightly beaten

Directions

1. Pastry:.
2. Sift the flour, salt and confectioners' sugar into a bowl. Rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix together the egg yolks and orange zest, add to the dry ingredients and mix to a soft dough.
3. Knead the pastry with our fingertips on a lightly floured work surface for a few seconds until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the pastry and use to line a fluted 9-inch quiche pan. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Put a baking sheet in the oven and prehat to 400°F.
5. Prick the base of the pastry with a fork and line with foil and ceramic baking weights (or dry beans). Place on the hot baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and beans and bake the pastry for 5 minutes more.
7. Lightly brush the base and sides of the pastry with egg white, then return to the oven for 3-4 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F.
8. Custard:.
9. Halve the vanilla bean lengthwise. Place in a small pan with the cream. Slowly bring to a boil, then remove the vanilla bean.
10. In a large bowl, whisk the egg and egg yolks with the sugar until pale. Slowly whisk in the hot cream.
11. Arrange the raspberries in the pastry. Pour the custard over the raspberries, then bake for 20 minutes, or until very lightly set. Place on a wire rack to cool, still in the tin. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
12. To add the brulee topping, first protect the edges of the pastry with pieces of foil. Dredge a thin layer of confectioners' sugar over the custard. Broil for 1 minute, or until the sugar melts and turns golden. Do not over bake/broil or the custard will separate. Chill for 10 minutes before serving.