Garlic Tart

Garlic Tart

Garlic Tart

This is a truly garlicky Garlic Tart!   Garlic haters, step away now as this is a celebration of garlicky delights.    I came up with this recipe because I wanted a tart where garlic was truly the star of the show.  It includes caramelised garlic cloves and  a savoury garlic-flavoured custard.  Although it does include cheese, its flavour is a background note.  Toasted pine-nuts are included on top to add a bit of crunch texture.

You can eat this tart at room temperature or hot from the oven. Have it for a simple supper or lunch. It is also great for picnics, buffets and lunch-boxes. You can make it ahead of time which makes it very convenient when you are entertaining.

What you need to know about this recipe

  • I generally make my own pastry. I was a late learner when it came to pastry and for years used ready-made versions. However, a few years ago I decided I had to get to grips with pastry-making and discovered how easy it is. So, if you have the time to make your own pastry, it is really worth doing as the taste will be much better than anything you can buy in the shops. However, if you don’t have the time or inclination, you can make this recipe using ready-made pastry and it will still taste pretty good.
  • Whether you are making your own pastry or using ready-made, it is really important to bake the empty pastry case in the oven for 15 minutes before you add the filling (step 3). This sets the pastry and means that it is properly cooked so it will be crisp and delicious rather than soft and soggy.
  • It is really garlicky! It uses three bulbs – yes, bulbs, not cloves – of garlic. This sounds like a lot of garlic. Actually, it is a lot of garlic! However, the cloves are blanched and then caramelised before being cooked in the tart. You end up with a rich, mellow garlic flavour which is not overpowering.
Other quiche and tart recipes

Savoury tarts and quiches are a fantastic, cook-ahead simple supper or lunch. They are easy to make and are great either hot or at room temperature. They can also be easily divided into portions if you are feeding a large number of people. Easily transportable, they also make a good addition to lunch-boxes or basis for a picnic. Some of my favourites are listed below.

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Garlic Tart recipe

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Garlic Tart

Garlic Tart

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  • Author: Tastebotanical
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English

Description

This Garlic Tart contains caramelised garlic cloves set in a savoury garlic-flavoured custard in a crisp pasty case and is topped with toasted pinenuts.


Ingredients

Scale

For the pastry:

  • 275 g (10 oz) plain flour
  • 125 g (4 oz) fat (I use a mix of half butter and half Trex as I think this makes the lightest pastry)
  • Salt and pepper
  • A little water

For the filling:

  • 3 bulbs garlic (Note: bulbs not cloves – you need a lot of garlic for this recipe!)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon balasamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 75 g (3 oz) strong cheddar or another hard cheese
  • 200 ml (7 fl oz) cream
  • 1 tablespoon of pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Set your oven to 180 C, 350 F or Gas Mark 4.
  2. Make the pastry. Put the flour in a bowl.  Add the fat and combine –  either by “rubbing in” by hand or processing – until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add a little cold water (2-3 tbsp) and shape the mixture into a dough.
  3. Roll out your pastry and use it to line your quiche or flan dish.   Bake for 20  minutes in the oven to allow the pastry to “set”.  This will stop the filling making it soggy!
  4. Separate your garlic bulbs into individual cloves. You do not need to peel them at this stage.  Take two cloves of garlic from one of your bulbs and set aside (See step 7).
  5. Place the remaining cloves in a pan of boiling water. Boil for 3 mins.  Remove the cloves and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Remove the skins.
  6. Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan. Add the skinned garlic cloves.  Season with salt and pepper and fry for 5 minutes until soft and golden.   Then add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar and cook gently for a further 2 minutes until brown and sticky.
  7. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the cream, and beat until combined.  Finely grate the cheddar cheese and add to the mixture.  Peel and crush the two reserved garlic cloves and add to the mixture.
  8. Now place the caramelised garlic cloves in your pastry case.  Pour the egg mixture over them.
  9. Place your quiche or flan dish in the oven and cook for 25 minutes.   At the end of this time, scatter the pinenuts on the top of the tart and cook for a further 5 minutes.
  10. The tart can be eaten hot, room temperature or cold.

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