Goat's Cheese, Shallot and Leek Tart - a Bit of a French Tart!
A very simple and extremely tasty tart that I often make when leeks are in season. You can make your own pastry if you wish - I do when I have lots of time, but this works equally well with good quality ready-made flaky pastry, thus cutting down on time. Try to use small, thin leeks and try to get hold of little pink shallots - it just makes it so colourful when cut and served. This tart freezes beautifully; you just need about 3-4 hours to defrost it and then to reheat it, just pop it into the oven on a low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. However, it is delicious served and eaten cold as well. Great picnic food or wonderful for a light & elegant luncheon dish. I also serve this at celebrations as part of a finger buffet - it can be baked in a square tin for events like that - making it easier to cut and portion. One point, this is what I would call a soft set tart - so when you take it out of the oven, do not be alarmed if it appears to be too soft; it will set as it cools, making it deliciously creamy and not at all rubbery! N.B. I have called this a bit of a French Tart, just a play on my Zaar name! But, it could be Welsh, using Welsh goat's cheese & Welsh leeks, or even English, you can obtain a wonderful array of English goat's cheeses now.
INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 230g ready-made flaky pastry dough (9 ozs)
- 12
- 8ounces firm goat cheese (rindless)
- 3large free-range eggs, beaten
- 7
- 4
DIRECTIONS
- You will need a 7½ inch (19 cm) diameter fluted quiche tin with a removable base, 1¼ inches (3 cm) deep, very lightly buttered, and a small, solid baking sheet.
- Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 5, 375°F (190°C) and pop the baking sheet in to pre-heat on the centre shelf.
- Now prepare the leeks. First, take the tough green ends off & discard them; leave some of the lighter green & then make a vertical split about halfway down the centre of each one and clean them by running them under the cold-water tap while you fan out the layers – this will rid them of any hidden dust and grit. Then slice them in half lengthways and chop into ½-inch (1 cm) slices.
- Next, in a medium-sized frying pan, melt the butter over a gentle heat and add the leeks, shallots and some salt. Give it all a good stir and let them cook gently, without a lid, for 10-15 minutes or until the juice runs out of them. Then you need to transfer them to a sieve set over a bowl to drain off the excess juice. Place a saucer with a weight on top of them to press out every drop.
- Roll it out into a circle on a lightly floured surface. As you roll, give it quarter turns to keep the round shape and roll it as thinly as possible. Now transfer it, rolling it over the pin, to the tin. Press it lightly and firmly over the base and sides of the tin, easing any overlapping pastry back down to the sides, as it is important not to stretch it. Now trim the edges and press the pastry up about ¼ inch (5 mm) above the rim of the tin all round, and then prick the base all over with a fork.
- After that, paint some of the beaten egg for the filling over the base and sides. Now place the tin on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Check halfway through the cooking time to make sure that the pastry is not rising up in the centre. If it is, just prick it a couple of times and press it back down with your hands.
- While the pastry case is pre-baking, crumble the goats' cheese with your hands, and then gently combine it with the leeks & shallots in the sieve. Now, in a jug, mix the beaten eggs with the crème fraîche or double cream, seasoning with just a little salt (there is some already in the leeks) and a good grinding of freshly milled black pepper.
- As soon as the pastry case is ready, remove it from the oven; arrange the leeks, shallots and cheese all over the base. Pour the cream and egg mixture over the top of the cheese, shallots & leeks, then put the tart back on the baking sheet with the oven shelf half pulled out, then gently slide the shelf back in and bake the tart for 30-35 minutes, until it's firm in the centre and the surface has turned a lovely golden brown.
- Next, remove it from the oven and allow it to settle for 10 minutes before serving. These 10 minutes is important, as it will be much easier to cut into portions. The best way to remove the tart from the tin is to ease the edges from the sides of the tin with a small knife, then place it on an upturned jar or tin, which will allow you to carefully ease the sides away.
- Next slide a palette knife or wide fish slice underneath and ease the tart on to a plate or board ready to serve, or simply cut it into portions straight from the tin base.
- Serve for picnics, light lunch with mixed salad and baked potatoes or as finger food for a buffet.