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Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Cheese & Polenta Tart

Recipe for: CHEESE & POLENTA TART

Ingredients:

  • For the pastry
    • 170g plain flour
    • 60g quick-cook polenta
    • 20g grated parmesan
    • 140g unsalted, fridge-cold butter
    • 50ml cold water
    • Pinch salt
  • For the filling:
    • 200-250g hard cheese, grated e.g. gruyere
    • 150ml crème fraiche
    • 150ml single cream
    • 3-4 eggs
    • ¾ tsp each salt & pepper
    • 200g chopped swiss chard or spinach, cooked briefly in olive oil & drained
    • Extra grated parmesan for the topping
Method: 

  1. work all the pastry ingredients (except the water) together by hand or in a food processor to get a fine crumbly mixture.  Only add enough water to make it come together as a pastry
  2. tip onto floured work-surface, & work until pastry comes together enough to be rolled out
  3. butter a large flan dish, then lift the pastry disc into place & press gently into place.  Trim off any excess & use pieces to patch or re-inforce the gaps
  4. chill in the freezer for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile heat oven to 180C/ 170C fan/ 350F
  5. place a circle of grease-proof paper in the bottom of the pastry case & fill with baking beans
  6. bake for 20 minutes until just golden
  7. remove paper & beans & bake for another 10 minutes or until pastry cooked through
  8. remove from oven & reduce oven temperature to 150C/ 140C fan
  9. while the case is cooking, mix together all the other ingredients, except the parmesan,  in a bowl
  10. pour into the cooked tart case & spread out evenly.  Grate parmesan on to the top
  11. bake for about 30 minutes until the tart is golden on top & the mixture has set
  12. leave to cool for 10 minutes before cutting & serving
What else you need to know: 

  1. great with a mixed salad & fruity chutneys
  2. the polenta in the pastry mix, just adds extra crunch & taste
  3. good hot, warm or cold

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