Sweet and sour pepper tart with basil custard
This is based on a simple tart that is often served as a starter, but it would work just as well for any occasion.
Ingredients
for the pastry
- 175g plain flour
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- pinch salt
- 125g cold unsalted butter, cubed
- about 3 tbsp cold water
for the filling
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 red peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 eggs
- 200ml crème fraîche
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- handful fresh basil leaves, shredded
- salt and pepper
Method
First make the pastry.
-
Step 1
Put the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and blitz briefly to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
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Step 2
Transfer to a bowl and stir in enough water to make a dough. Wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least 30 minutes (you can make the filling while the pastry is chilling).
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Step 3
Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4.
Make the filling.
-
Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the onion and cook gently for 10 minutes. Add the red peppers and cook for 20 minutes, until soft.
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Step 2
Stir in the garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Turn the heat up, add the sugar and cook until caramelised.
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Step 3
Stir in the balsamic vinegar, reduce the heat and cook for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
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Step 4
In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs with the crème fraîche, some seasoning and half the Parmesan. Mix the shredded basil leaves into this custard.
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Step 5
Roll the pastry onto a lightly floured surface and use to line a 24cm loose-bottomed flan tin.
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Step 6
Cover the base and sides with a piece of baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Place on a baking sheet in an oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown, removing the paper and beans for the last 5 minutes or so.
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Step 7
Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Reduce oven to 140°C/Gas 1. Place the pepper mixture in the pastry case, pour in the basil custard and sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan.
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Step 8
Bake for 30 minutes or until set. Serve warm.
