All posts tagged: tart

Tart with figs, feta, caramelised onions, thyme and pink peppercorns

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Pink peppercorns are not really peppercorns; it is a fake identity. They are the berries of Schinus molle, a tree native in South America. They somehow made the journey in the spice business from west to east – not from east to west. The tree now thrives in several lands and can can be found even in Zappeion in the center of Athens, near the ceremonial guard watch, where we used to stroll daily with our son during the covid lockdown. Of course in their native lands by the Andes they had a long association with costumes and rites. It fact they were not used to spice up fig and onion tarts, but people. Yes, they were used by the Incas for producing chicha, a fermented drink. If you were one of the lucky ones to be offered to the gods, you were first rubbed with chicha remains, then buried alive, then force-fed with more of the drink (think ducks and foie gras). So, pink peppercorns only pretend to be nice – in reality they await …

Lemon Tart

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The lemon tree in our garden is full of fruit right now and it is a challenge to make good use of the crop. We use a lot of lemon juice in our everyday cooking,we preserve lemons- stay tuned  for some really good recipes-, we freeze lemon juice ice cubes that keep for several months, and we bake. We are always trying out new recipes and after exhaustive research our preferences are a lemon cake and this rather rich Heston Blumenthal lemon tart for special occasions. Our advice? If you do not have a forthcoming special occasion, improvise one and bake this tart! Serves 10-12 For the pastry 300g Plain flour  150g Unsalted butter 120g Icing sugar 1/2 tsp Salt 3 Large egg yolks  Zest of 1/2 lemon, finely grated Seeds from 1/2 vanilla pod 1 egg for the egg wash For the filling Finely grated zest and juice of 5 lemons  390g White caster sugar 300g Double cream 9 large eggs and 1 large egg yolk To finish and serve 80g Unrefined caster sugar Creme fraiche …

Strawberry Tart Forever

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Spring calls for strawberries. The fruit markets are full with delicious strawberries this time of the year and I try to make use of them in every possible way. I think that this basic strawberry tart recipe of Stelios Parliaros, will make you feel like a professional patissier. For the pastry 300g all purpose flour 200g very cold unsalted butter,cut into small cubes 100g icing sugar 1 egg For the filling 350g full fat milk 150g whipping cream 80g caster sugar 1 egg 3 egg yolks 40g cornstarch 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scrapped out 500g fresh strawberries For the glaze 1 Tbsp strawberry jam 1Tbsp boiling water For the sweet pastry, combine flour, butter and sugar in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Change to the hook attachment and add the egg. Continue mixing  until dough comes together to form a ball. Turn the mixture out onto a plastic wrap and shape into a disc. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove the pastry from the refrigerator and roll out …