This is a more urbane or gentrified version of the quiches of the 1970s. The main ingredient is not from a can, unlike the salmon and asparagus that so often filled the quiches of the 1970s, and it was mostly imported, which meant it was considered fancy. But this tart is not too big for its boots. Its simplicity and deliciousness made it very popular in the 1980s and 90s and it was often served with a side salad of peppery rocket with an autumn fruit, such as pear or apple. Today, locally produced goat’s cheese, which really found its feet in the 1980s, is making inroads into the international market.
Preparation Time
30 Minutes + 1 Hour Chilling
Cooking Time
1 Hour
Serves
8
Ingredients
butter for greasing
1 quantity Shortcrust Pastry
plain (all-purpose) flour for dusting
200g goat’s cheese
2 teaspoons thyme leaves
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
2 spring onions finely sliced
4 eggs
250ml (1 cup) thickened or double cream
125ml (½ cup) whole milk
salt and pepper
rocket salad to serve
Method
Lightly grease a 30cm loose-bottom tart pan with butter. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured work counter to make a 33cm circle.
Transfer the pastry to the prepared pan, firmly pressing it into the pan, allowing the pastry to overhang the sides of the pan. Trim excess pastry. Prick the base all over with a fork and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4.
Lay a sheet of baking paper over the pastry and cover with baking beans. You could use uncooked rice or dried beans if you like. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then remove the paper and beans and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and dry. Set aside to cool.
Sprinkle the goat’s cheese over the cool pastry shell, then sprinkle over the thyme, parsley and spring onions. Beat the eggs, cream and milk together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the goat’s cheese and bake in the oven for 40–45 minutes, or until golden on top. Serve the tart warm with a rocket salad on the side.
