GARLIC QUICHE
INGREDIENTS
370 g all-butter puff pastry
3 medium heads garlic, cloves separated and peeled
Water, as needed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
¾ tbsp superfine sugar
1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme, plus a few whole sprigs
Salt, to taste
120 g soft, creamy goat cheese
120 g hard, mature goat cheese
2 large eggs
120 ml heavy cream
120 ml crème fraîche
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Roll the puff pastry into a circle to line both the bottom and sides of fluted tart tin and line with the pastry. Onto the bottom of the pan, place a large circle of greaseproof paper and fill with a layer of dry baking beans or rice. Place the tart into the fridge for approximately 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the pastry case for 20 minutes, remove both the beans and paper and bake for another 5 minutes so the pastry is cooked and golden but not over-browned. Remove from the oven and leave to one side.
While the tart case is cooking, place the garlic cloves in a small saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to a gentle simmer, cook for 3 minutes then drain through a colander or sieve.
Wipe the saucepan dry then add the cloves and olive oil and fry on a high heat for 2 minutes and no more. Add the balsamic vinegar, 1 glass of water and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes add the sugar, rosemary, chopped thyme and ¼ teaspoon salt and continue to cook on a medium heat for a further 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the garlic cloves are coated in a dark caramel syrup. Set aside.
To assemble the tart: break both goat's cheeses into pieces and scatter in the pastry case and spoon over the garlic and any syrup.
Whisk together the eggs, creams, ½ teaspoon salt and some black pepper. Pour over the garlic and cheeses making sure that you can still see both on the surface.
Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the tart filling has set and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool a little then take out of tin, lay the remaining thyme sprigs on top and serve warm Serve with a crisp salad. If eating later the tart does reheat very well.
Lindas twist: For starter, make little tartlets in cupcake mould.