Caramelised Garlic Tart

Written by
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Elaine Lemm
Updated 09/23/19
yotam-ottolenghi-garlic-tart

Yotam Ottolenghi
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This caramelised garlic tart recipe comes from Chef Ottolenghi's book, Plenty. Plenty is a book about vegetables and interesting and inspiring ways to cook them.
The tart makes a great brunch, lunch, dinner, party or picnic dish - a great all rounder. Making the caramelised garlic tart takes a little work, but is well worth the effort.

Ingredients

  • 13 ounces puff pastry (all butter)
  • 3 medium heads garlic (cloves separated and peeled)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 tablespoon caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon thyme (chopped, plus a few whole sprigs to finish)
  • 4 1/4 ounces goat cheese (soft and creamy)
  • 4 1/4 ounces goat cheese (hard and mature)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup crème fraîche
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Roll the puff pastry into a circle to line both the bottom and sides of a 28cm 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 baking beans or rice. Place the tart into the fridge for approx 20 minutes. 

  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas Mark 4 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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, water and bring to the boil.  Simmer gently for 10 minutes.

  6. 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.

  7. 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. 

  8. Whisk together the eggs, creams, ½ teaspoon salt and some black pepper in a jug. Pour over the garlic and cheeses making sure that you can still see both on the surface.

  9. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C/Gas Mark 3 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 a few sprigs of thyme on top and serve warm Serve with a crisp salad. If eating later the tart does reheat very well. 

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