CHEESE AND ALE
GILL’S POACHED LEEK AND DORSET BLUE VINNY TART
This recipe of Gill’s has become a River Cottage classic, and a particular favourite during the colder months. If you have time, make double the quantity of pastry, bake two pastry cases blind and freeze one. This means that next time you want to make a savoury tart, you will have already done half the work
Serves 4–6
2 large or 3 medium leeks (about 500g), trimmed of tough green leaves, washed and sliced into 1cm rounds A knob of unsalted butter 100g good blue cheese, grated 2 medium eggs 2 medium egg yolks 350ml double cream Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the shortcrust pastry: 250g plain flour 125g unsalted butter A pinch of sea salt 1 medium egg yolk 25–50ml cold milk
1 First make the pastry. Put the flour, butter and salt in a food processor and pulse until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk, then pour in the milk in a gradual stream. Watch carefully and stop adding the milk as soon as the dough starts to come together.
2 Turn out and knead lightly a couple of times, then wrap in cling film and chill for half an hour.
3 On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry out quite thinly and use to line a 25cm loose-based tart tin, letting the excess pastry hang over the edges. Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper, fill with baking beans and place in an oven preheated to 170°C/Gas Mark 3.
4 Bake blind for 20 minutes, then take the tart out of the oven, remove the paper and beans, lightly prick the base all over with a fork and return to the oven for 5 minutes, until the base is dry but not too coloured. Carefully trim off the excess pastry with a small, sharp knife. Turn the oven temperature up to 180°C/Gas Mark 4.
5 To make the filling, put the leeks into a saucepan with 100ml water, the butter and some salt and pepper. Bring to a low simmer, then cover and cook gently, stirring once or twice, for about 10 minutes, until just tender.
6 Drain well, reserving the cooking liquor. Spread the cooked leeks in the tart case and cover with the grated cheese.
7 Put the eggs and egg yolks, cream and leek liquor in a bowl and beat until smooth.
8 Season to taste, then pour this custard over the cheese and leeks. Put the tart back into the oven and bake for about 30 minutes – the custard should be just set when you gently shake the tin. Serve warm or cold.
River Cottage Everyday Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, Bloomsbury,2009
16 | THE WESTCOUNTRY FOODLOVER
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