Tuesday 21 April 2009

Beers and Tarts

So tonight its football night. Liverpool v Arsenal in the Premiership. An important game which will help determine who wins the premiership title.
Being such an important game, I felt the need to invite the boys round to watch it.

In preparation for the evening I felt the need to arrange for some tarts. My wife would be out with the children which meant we could enjoy them without any interruptions.

All the boys were very excited at the thought of my generous offer and were keen to sample my sweet little tarts. I had surfed the internet as I did not want just any tart, it had to be of a certain class. I tried these lovelies with my brother a few weeks ago as we have the same taste. We had 12 and devoured the lot of them, we even took photos we were that excited. Though it was not so much fun, as we were at our parents and they were none too pleased at the mess we’d left.

So tonight its the Lemon Meringue Tarts with a few beers and some good company to watch the game.

I have included the recipe below:

Ingredients:
FOR THE PASTRY

* 175g plain flour
* 100g cold butter , cut in small pieces
* 1 tbsp icing sugar
* 1 egg yolk

FOR THE FILLING

* 2 level tbsp cornflour
* 100g golden caster sugar
* finely grated zest 2 large lemon
* 125ml fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
* juice 1 small orange
* 85g butter , cut into pieces
* 3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg

FOR THE MERINGUE

* 4 egg whites , room temperature
* 200g golden caster sugar
* 2 level tbsp cornflour

1. For the pastry, put the flour, butter, icing sugar, egg yolk (save the white for the meringue) and 1 tbsp cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button so the mix is not overworked, process until the mix starts to bind. Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges. Press pastry into flutes. The pastry is quite rich, so don't worry if it cracks, just press it back together. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, shiny side down, and chill for 1⁄2-1 hour (or overnight).

2. Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Bake the pastry case 'blind' (filled with dry beans) for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside. (Can be done a day ahead if you want to get ahead.) Lower the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.

3. While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix the cornflour, sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in the lemon juice gradually. Make orange juice up to 200ml/7fl oz with water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and plops from the spoon. (It will bubble, but doesn't curdle.) Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue.

4. Put the egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add half the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. Whisk in the cornflour, then add the rest of the sugar as before until smooth and thick. Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling (if you start in the middle the meringue may sink), then spread so it just touches the pastry (this will anchor it and help stop it sliding). Pile the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling (and starts to cook), then give it all a swirl. Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins, then remove and leave for at least another 1⁄2-1 hr before slicing. Eat the same day.

Enjoy!

2 comments:

kestrel said...

The tarts seems a professional job, I got the bananas and have the butter out to try out your banana cake, have to stop blogging first

tc said...

I agree, a bit complicated for me too but DH loves his tarts ! I am more of a banana-cake baking kind of person too.....