Life feels like a bit of a blur at the moment. I am sure many of you can relate - from the moment I open my eyes in the morning to the minute I collapse into bed each evening I am on the go, moving from one pressing task to the next. Sometimes you just really need to stop and smell the pastry.. err, I mean roses. Weekends are a good time for this when things are (sometimes) a little less frantic and rushed, and there is a bit more time for some leisurely cooking.
This is one of those recipes that requires a little extra time to prepare, but it is so worth it! This rustic tart has a gorgeous buttery pastry, rich and tasty filling and is topped with sharp goats cheese. It is a versatile autumn dish that you can enjoy on a cold, rainy day just as much as you would on a warm sunny one. Enjoy!
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BABY MARROW,
SUNDRIED TOMATO & CHEVIN TART
Makes 1 rectangular tart
200g flour
1/4 tsp salt
150g butter, chilled
5 sprigs of thyme, washed and leaves removed
1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp cold water
5 baby marrows (about 200g)
2 tsp butter
2 spring onions, sliced
80g drained marinated sundried tomatoes
black pepper
1 cup cream
2 large eggs
100g chevin
Step 1.) Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Cube the chilled butter and then rub into the flour until it has all been incorporated. Stir in the thyme leaves. Add the egg yolk and water and mix until a dough comes together. Shape into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
Step 2.) Preheat your oven to 180°C and grease a 35 x 12cm rectangular tart tin. (You could also use a round tin.) Roll the dough out to a thickness of 5mm and line the tin, gently pushing the dough into the edges and corners. Cut off any excess dough, then place the tin in the fridge for a further 20 minutes. Step 3.) Top and tail the baby marrows and use a vegetable peeler to cut them into thin ribbons. Heat the butter in a saucepan, then add the spring onions and baby marrows. Fry for 5 minutes until softened. Remove the pan from the heat. Roughly chop the sundried tomatoes and add to the pan with a good grinding of black pepper. Mix and set aside. Step 4.) Cover the pastry with a piece of baking paper and fill the tin with uncooked beans (you can also use rice). Bake the pastry for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and paper, then cook the pastry for a further 5-7 minutes until pale and just cooked. Step 5.) Place the tart tin on a baking tray to make it easier to transfer into the oven. Add the baby marrow mixture and spread evenly. Whisk the cream and eggs together and pour this over the filling. Slice the chevin into 10 slices and arrange these on top of the tart. Step 6.) Bake the tart for 30-35 minutes until the filling has set and the top of the tart has started to turn golden. Allow to stand for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
