Best Tart Pastry Recipes

APPLE PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Unroll puff pastry sheets onto a floured work surface. Cut each sheet into 6 small squares. Arrange squares on 2 baking sheets. Spread cream cheese over the center of each square.
• Mix apples, sugar, and cinnamon together in a separate bowl. Spoon mixture onto the squares. Pinch corners of each square together.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed up and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

SWEET TART PASTRY

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, sugar, and salt into a bowl.
• Toss butter through flour mixture to coat pieces. Using fingertips, rub fat into flour, working it until you have created a coarse meal with a few pea-size particles of fat.
• Empty crumbs onto a cool surface. Form mixture into a mound. Make a 4 to 5 inch well in center of the mound. Combine egg and vanilla and pour mixture into the well. Using a fork, draw crumbs into egg mixture, about 1 - 2 tablespoons at a time. When all crumbs are added, toss mixture a few times with a pastry blender to form large clumps, then scrape into a mound.
• Using the heel of your hand, push 2 - 3 tablespoons of the dough at a time, outward in 6 to 8 inch sweeps. This will blend fat and flour and give crust a delicate texture. If your hand becomes sticky, flour it as needed. Repeat process until all dough has been worked. Gather dough into a mound again. Repeat procedure 2 more times.
• After third time, flour your hands. Gently knead the dough 5 or 6 times to make it smooth. Shape into a 5 inch disk. Dust disk lightly with flour, score with side of your hand, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate for 20 minutes before shaping. DO NOT LET DOUGH BECOME TOO HARD or it will be difficult to roll. If this happens, let pastry soften at room temperature.
• Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. After dough has been rolled, position rolling pin 4 inches from top of the pastry. Lift dough over top of rolling pin and gently roll dough toward you. Lift pastry up. Make sure you keep a finger pressed against barrel of rolling pin to keep it from slipping. Position pastry, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of dough hanging over edge of pan on side closest to you. Then unroll pastry over an ungreased tart pan, moving pin away from you. Immediately lift overhang into pan to prevent sharp edge of the pan from cutting dough.
• Working a small portion of the dough at a time, mold it into crease of the pan. Trim excess pastry from top edge of pan. Chill pastry in refrigerator or freezer for up to 30 minutes. Tear an 18 inch square of tin foil. Make a buttered circle in center of foil 2 inches larger than size of pan. Place foil buttered side down, centering it into the baking pan. Using your hand, press foil flush against the sides.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Position shelf in lower third of oven. Fill pan with enough dried beans or baking nuggets to just cover surface of pan. DO NOT OVERFILL. Bake pastry shell on a shallow pan with sides. Bake crust 15 to 18 minutes or until sides begin to brown. Remove pan from the oven. Let stand about 30 seconds. Gently remove foil and beans. Reduce oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Continue to bake crust for 3 to 5 minutes or until it is golden. If bottom of pastry shell puffs up, tap it gently with bottom of a fork to expel the air. Do this carefully so the pastry crust doesn't break. When crust is done, cool completely before filling.

PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with nonstick cooking spray.;
• Sprinkle the cutting board with flour. Roll-out the creases.;
• Unfold the pastry onto parchment paper. Using a fork, pierce a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the puff pastry. Prick the center of the pastry as well, about 10 times all over.
• Arrange the fruit, nuts, and cheese on top of the pastry in a uniform manner, avoiding the border. Brush the fruit with the melted butter and top with the cinnamon and sugar. Bake 15 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and beginning to puff.
• If desired, brush the honey over the fruit and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Puff Pastry Variations:
• Apricot Plum Tart: Cut 2 plums and apricots into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange on top of puff pastry and brush with melted apricot preserves rather than honey.
• Rhubarb Tart: Thinly slice 8-ounces rhubarb stalks on the diagonal and marinate in 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup sugar for 10 minutes. Strain the rhubarb, reserving the juices. Arrange the rhubarb slices on top of the puff pastry. Sprinkle with white sugar. While the pastry bakes, reduce the rhubarb juices until it becomes a syrupy glaze. When the pastry finishes, brush the pastry with the glaze.
• Pear, Pecan and Blue Cheese Tart: Slice 3 cups Bartlett pears and place on the puff pastry. Top with 1/2 cup chopped pecans. After brushing on the honey, top with 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles.

FRESH RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or to the temperature recommended on your package of puff pastry. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle a little flour on your pastry surface and, with a rolling pin, roll pastry sheet to approx 11-inches by 14-inches in size. Transfer pastry to baking sheet. With a butter knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border around the edges, then fold the edge up and toward the center, pressing lightly, to create a neat border. Score the center lightly with a knife, taking care to not cut all of the way through (but if you accidentally do, it'll be okay). Bake until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes, or the time indicated on the package of puff pastry. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
• Affix a stand mixer or hand mixer with the whisk attachment. In the bowl of the mixer or in a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Scoop whipped cream into a medium bowl. To the bowl of the mixer or the large bowl, add the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Whip until smooth and a little fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Fold cream cheese mixture into whipping cream, gently stirring and folding just until blended. Pile the filling into the center of the cooled puff pastry tart shell and, with a butter knife. spread the filling gently toward the edges. Line the top with raspberries, bottoms up. Drizzle with remaining 3 tablespoons honey. Cut into squares and serve.

SAVORY MUSHROOM, ONION, AND BACON PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Unroll puff pastry onto a baking sheet. Score edges at 1/4-inch intervals using a paring knife or press edges using a fork. Return pastry to the freezer until you're ready to use it.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add bacon and cook until crisp around the edges but stiff soft in the center, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add onions, mushrooms, and thyme. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt to help vegetables release water. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to wilt and most of the water has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to a platter.
• Place ricotta cheese in a bowl. Beat in egg yolk and remaining oil until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper. Spread ricotta mixture to within 1/2-inch of the edges of the puff pastry. Sprinkle Gruyere cheese on top, then cover with mushroom mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.

PEACH PUFF PASTRY TART WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to a 3mm thickness. Cut a circle about 33cm in diameter with a sharp knife, using a plate or anything round as a guide. Using the rolling pin, transfer to the baking tray and score a circle 1cm in from the edge.
• Bake in the oven for 12-15 mins until lightly puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and gently push the centre down with the back of a large spoon so that you have a flat base with a raised border.
• Meanwhile, halve and stone the peaches, then slice thinly. In a bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, ground almonds, egg, lemon zest, almond extract and sherry, if using. Spread the frangipane evenly over the pastry, leaving the border free. Top with the peach slices, neatly overlapping them in circles. Sprinkle over the remaining sugar and the flaked almonds.
• Bake for 30 mins, then turn the oven down to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, cover the tart lightly with foil and cook for a further 30-40 mins. The frangipane should puff up between the peaches and be golden brown and set in the centre. Cool on a wire rack, then slice and serve. Leftovers will keep for 1 day.

PLUM TART WITH ALMOND PASTRY CRUST

Steps:

• For the filling: Fill a large stockpot halfway with water and bring to a boil. While water is boiling, take a paring knife and cut a 1/2-inch X on the bottom of each plum. Set aside. Fill a large bowl with ice and water and set aside. When water is boiling, gently drop plums into water for 30 to 45 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately submerge in ice water for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and dry plums gently with a paper towel. Over a medium-sized bowl, remove skins from plums - they should slip off fairly easily. Slice plums in half and remove pits. Toss with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice and set aside.
• For the crust: Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
• Grind the almonds in a food processor until they are a fine crumb. Add the pastry flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar to the almond in the processor and pulse 5 times to incorporate. Add butter and oil and pulse for about 20 seconds, until mixture forms small clumps. Add the egg white and pulse an additional 20 to 30 times, until mixture forms a ball, being sure not to over-process. Dough will hold together, but be slightly sticky. Evenly press dough into the bottom and sides a 9-inch tart pan with a detachable bottom. Bake for 8 to10 minutes, or until surface of tart is no longer shiny. Remove from oven and let cool. Place tart shell on a cookie sheet. Toss plum halves in their own juices in bowl. Arrange plums, cut-side down, in the tart shell, crowding as many plums as you can into tart. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fruit is slightly tender but still firm. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• For the glaze: Heat preserves over a low flame or in microwave until melted. Combine with water and brush surface of tart.

RASPBERRY TART WITH ALMOND PASTRY

Steps:

• Make the pastry by tipping all the ingredients, except the yolk, into a food processor and pulsing to the texture of breadcrumbs. Add the yolk, then pulse until it all comes together to form a soft pastry. The pastry will be too soft to roll out, so press it evenly into a loose-based 25cm tart tin until the pastry comes up above the edges of the tin. Rest in the freezer for at least 20 mins.
• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Line the tart case with baking parchment and baking beans, then place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 mins until the edges are starting to brown. Remove the beans and paper, then continue to cook for 10 mins until biscuity. Leave to cool, trim the edges with a knife, then carefully remove from the tart tin.
• To make the filling, whisk the crème fraîche with the sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and zest until thick. Spread over the bottom of the tart case, then meticulously place the raspberries on top in concentric circles. Meanwhile, heat up jam in the microwave or in a pan with 2tbsp water until bubbling. Push the glaze through a sieve into a bowl, then paint it over the raspberries with a pasty brush. Bring the whole tart to the table and serve in slices.

PUFF PASTRY TART FILLED WITH ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Purée almond paste, granulated sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth. Add 1 egg, vanilla, and almond extract and purée until incorporated. Add flour and pulse until incorporated.
• Roll out 1 puff pastry sheet into an 11 1/2-inch square on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, then brush off excess flour from both sides. Cut out an 11-inch round by tracing around an inverted plate with tip of a paring knife. Transfer round to a buttered large baking sheet (not dark metal, or pastry may brown too much), discarding trimmings, and chill. Repeat procedure with second pastry sheet, leaving round on floured surface.
• Beat remaining egg with a fork and brush some over top of second round. Score round decoratively all over using tip of knife, then make several small slits all the way through pastry, at about 2-inch intervals, to create steam vents.
• Brush some of egg in a 1-inch-wide border around edge of chilled pastry round (on baking sheet). Mound almond cream in center of chilled round, spreading slightly, and bury bean in cream. Immediately cover with decorated round and press edges together lightly. Holding a small spoon with side at an angle, press around edge to seal galette decoratively.
• Bake galette in lower third of oven until puffed and pale golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Dust galette with confectioners sugar and bake in upper third of oven until edge is deep golden brown and shiny, 12 to 15 minutes more. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

CARAMELISED ONION PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Finely slice the onions, then put them in a large, lidded pan with the oil and cook over a low heat for 30 mins, stirring from time to time.
• Remove the lid and turn up the heat, cooking the onions until they brown and caramelise, stirring often.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Unroll the pastry and place on a greased baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a 2cm border around the edge of the pastry, going almost but not quite through the pastry. Glaze the edge of the pastry with beaten egg.
• Spread the mustard over the base of the tart and pile on the onions, spreading them out to meet the edge. Mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and thyme leaves together, and sprinkle this topping evenly over the onions. Bake the tart for 18-20 mins or until the pastry is golden brown.

CUSTARD TART WITH NUTMEG PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll the pastry out to about 1cm thick, then grate over a dusting of nutmeg using a fine grater. Fold the dough in half, then roll out again, to the thickness of 2 x £1 coins and large enough to line a 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich tin with some overhang. Press the pastry into the tin (leaving the excess draped over the sides), put onto a baking sheet and chill for 10 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Bake for 20 mins, then remove beans and paper. Bake for another 15 mins until golden and sandy all over. Trim the edges of the tart with a sharp serrated knife.
• Turn oven down to 150C/130C fan/ gas 2. Whisk together the eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Put the cream, milk, vanilla pod and seeds into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Pour onto the eggs, whisking as you go. Sieve into a jug. Put the baking sheet onto the pulled-out oven rack, then pour in the custard, right to the top. You may not need every last drop. Grate over a nice layer of nutmeg, then slide gently back into the oven and bake for 1 hr. When it's ready, the tart should be set and pale golden on the top, and have just the merest tremor in the centre when you jiggle the tray. Cool completely, then serve in slices.

SMOKED SALMON AND HERB PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F with a rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Lightly flour a work surface and gently unfold the puff pastry dough. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle. Score a 1-inch border along all four sides with a sharp knife then prick the area inside the border all over with a fork. This allows steam to release and a rim to rise around the tart.
• Transfer the puff pastry to the prepared baking sheet and bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown and puffy, about 18 minutes total. Remove the pastry from the baking sheet and allow it to cool on a cutting board or wire rack for 10 minutes. (see Cook's Note)
• While the pastry is baking, whip the cream cheese, yogurt, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Fold in the capers, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons chopped dill and 2 tablespoons chopped chives and set aside.
• Just before serving, evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the baked pastry with an offset spatula, leaving the 1-inch border exposed. Arrange the smoked salmon and cucumber on top and sprinkle the tart with the dill fronds, remaining 1 tablespoon chives and some black pepper.

PASTRY CREAM FOR RASPBERRY TART

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath, and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt; stir to mix. In another medium bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and whisk to combine.
• In a medium saucepan, combine milk and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; whisking constantly, slowly pour into egg mixture.
• Transfer mixture to a clean saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a large heat-proof bowl. Whisk in butter and vanilla; set bowl in ice bath, stirring occasionally, until completely chilled, 10 to 12 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on surface of pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Place in refrigerator until ready to use.

PUFF PASTRY TART WITH VEGETABLES AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a 12x18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• Place thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to a 10x14-inch rectangle and place on the prepared sheet. Score edges with a sharp knife, about 3/4 inch from the edge of the pastry, being careful not to cut all the way through the pastry. Inside the scored edges, prick several times with a fork. Brush pastry with beaten egg, reserving any unused.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• Combine olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. When butter is melted, add chopped mushrooms and chopped onion. Cook until vegetables release their liquid, then continue cooking until the skillet is nearly dry, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Season onions and mushrooms with salt and pepper and stir in thawed and drained spinach and chopped tomatoes.
• Combine the remainder of the beaten egg, garlic and herb cheese spread, and cream in a small bowl. Gently brush cheese mixture over the partially baked puff pastry, staying inside the scored edges.
• Distribute the vegetable mixture over the cheese mixture and bake until the edges of the pastry are nicely browned and the cheese mixture is set, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan about 5 minutes.
• To serve, cut into serving pieces and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY TART WITH MEYER LEMON PASTRY CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Grate the butter on a box grater and add to the bowl of a food processor with the flour, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the salt. Pulse to combine until the mixture resembles Parmesan cheese. Add the egg yolk and 3 tablespoons of ice water. Pulse to combine until the dough comes together and holds its shape when pressed between your fingers. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Gently knead a few times and bring the dough together into a ball, then flatten into a disc. Roll the dough out evenly into a 1/4-inch-thick circle. Transfer the dough onto a sheet tray and cover with plastic wrap. Place into the fridge to rest for 30 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the fridge and roll evenly in all directions, making sure it doesn't stick to your work surface and dusting with flour as needed. The dough should be about 1/8-inch thick. Slice the dough in half and transfer to two nonstick 6-inch fluted tart pans with removable bottoms. Press the dough snuggly into the edges ensuring the dough runs fully up the side. Use a rolling pin to trim the excess dough. Line each tart with a piece of foil and fill with baking beans (or I use rice!), making sure the foil is tightly packed to the corners. Transfer the dough to the oven to blind bake for 6 minutes. Rotate the pan, then bake for another 6 minutes. Remove the foil and baking beans and place the tart back into the oven until lightly golden, another 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Set up an ice bath. Add the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of the heavy cream to a small bowl. Mix to create a slurry and set aside. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar and the 4 whole eggs to a large bowl and beat with a whisk until pale yellow and foamy. Add the remaining 2 cups heavy cream, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, the vanilla extract and lemon peel to a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then pour half of the mixture into the bowl with the eggs and sugar and immediately whisk vigorously to combine and temper the mixture. Pour the contents of the bowl into the saucepan and continue to whisk. Add the cornstarch slurry and whisk to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to whisk until the mixture begins to thicken and it reaches the texture of pudding, 3 to 4 minutes. You want to continuously whisk to avoid scorching the mixture. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Set the bowl over the ice bath to cool.
• Place the apricot preserves and a splash of water into a small saute pan. Turn the heat to medium and stir to gently melt the preserves, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• To assemble the tart, spoon an even layer of the lemon pastry cream into each tart shell, but not fully to the top. Line the outside of the tart with raspberries and working inward, arrange the inside of the tart with the sliced strawberries. Repeat this process alternating with more raspberries and strawberries. Glaze the top of each tart with the apricot mixture.
• Serve the tarts with a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

FRUITY ALMOND PUFF PASTRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place the sheet of puff pastry in the center of a baking sheet fitted with parchment. Top the puff with another sheet of parchment. Place a baking sheet directly on top of the parchment on top of the puff pastry. This weighs down the puff as it bakes and makes it uniform.
• Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake until the puff pastry is partially cooked and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and take the baking sheet and top sheet of parchment off the pastry.
• While the pastry is baking, make the frangipane. In the bowl of the food processor, pulse the almonds until they become like a coarse, wet powder. Add the sugar, butter, flour, almond extract, cinnamon and egg and pulse until it forms a paste.
• Gently spread the frangipane in an even layer over the puff pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border, and place the baking sheet back in the center of the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Bake until the frangipane and pastry are browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• In a small pot, warm the jam over low heat until it melts slightly, about 30 seconds.
• Transfer the puff to a flat surface and use a serrated knife to gently cut into 9 even pieces. Arrange the pieces close together on a serving platter as if they make a whole tart. Drizzle some of the warmed jam over the top edges of the pastry and frangipane to create a "glue" for the raspberries to stick to the pastry. Arrange the raspberries over the top of each piece. Drizzle the remaining jam gently over the raspberries and finish with a sprinkle of sugar for added texture. Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate the leftovers (if there are any!!).

QUICK CREAM CHEESE PASTRY (TART SHELLS)

Steps:

• Beat butter and cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Add flour; beat just until a soft dough forms. Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap; chill for 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F/220°C.
• Shape dough into 1"/2.5 cm balls. Place each ball of dough into cups of mini muffin pan. Dip Mini-Tart Shaper into flour; press into dough to form tart shells. Pierce shells with a fork. (If you don't have a Mini-Tart shaper just use your fingers and form into shells).
• Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan for 5 minutes; carefully remove tart shells from pan. Cool completely. Fill as desired.

TART PASTRY

Steps:

• Blend together flour, sugar, salt, butter and shortening with your fingers or a pastry blender (or pulse on a processor) just until the mixture resembles coarse meal, the mixture should be pea-size.
• Drizzle the ice water starting with 3 tablespoons over the flour mixture; gently stir with a fork (or pulse with a processor) until incorporated.
• Squeeze a small amount in your hands, if it does not hold together add in more ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring or pulsing with a processor until JUST combined.
• Test again, but be careful not to overwork the mixture, as the pastry will be tough.
• Transfer the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 6 portions.
• Using the heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion.
• Gather dough together with a scraper and press into 1 ball.
• Flatten into a 6-inch disc.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for about 1 hour.
• Roll out dough with a floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round on a lightly floured surface.
• Fit into the 11-inch tart pan.
• trim any excess dough leaving a 1/2-inch overhang.
• Fold the overhang inward and press against the side of the pan to reinforce edge.
• Lightly prick the bottom and sides of the pastry with a fork.
• Chill for 30 minutes.
• Set oven to 375 degrees.
• Line the shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice.
• Bake in the center of the oven until the pastry is golden along the rim (about 20 minutes).
• Remove the shell from the oven, and carefully remove the foil and pie weights, return back to oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden all over.

FLAKY PASTRY TART SHELLS

Steps:

• 1. Place the flour, butter, and salt in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse about 24 times, then open the machine and lift a handful of crumbs. The largest pieces of butter should be the size of raw grains of rice or barley. If there are larger pieces, continue to pulse the mixture. When the butter pieces are the correct size, transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle 6 tablespoons of ice water onto the dough. Spread the fingers of one hand as if you were about to grab a large ball, and using your rigid fingertips as if they were a large fork, stir the dough quickly and briefly until the liquid is incorporated. Squeeze a handful of the dough in your palm. The dough should have just enough moisture to stay together. Break the piece in half. If it seems dry and crumbly, cautiously add more water a few teaspoons at a time until you can squeeze it into a ball that will not crumble when broken apart. If your kitchen is reasonably cool, the butter was cold, and you used ice water, the dough should be at just the right stage of malleability for rolling out, and it will be easiest to work with immediately. If your kitchen is very warm, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 15 minutes.
• 2.Rolling the dough:
• Turn the pastry dough out on a lightly floured board and divide it into quarters for small 7-inch tart shells or in half for large 10-inch shells. Shape 1 piece into a disk and dust the top lightly with flour. Begin to roll out the dough, using quick but gentle strokes with the pin. Start with the pin in the middle of the round and roll to the top, then to the bottom. Rotate the dough 1/4 turn each time you roll to be sure the dough is not sticking and use additional flour as necessary. When the round is larger than 9 inches for a small tart, or 12 inches for a large tart, and about 1/8 inch thick, turn a 9- or 12-inch plate or bowl upside down on the dough as a template and cut around it with a sharp knife. Remove the plate or bowl.
• 3.Forming the edge:
• Fold 1/2-inch edge of dough all around to form a decorative rim. Begin by folding a 1-inch-long section over by 1/2 inch, then overlap the fold by half and roll another piece of dough over, pinching it firmly in place. Continue to roll and pinch, and a twisted rope pattern will. Form. Roll out the remaining dough and crimp the edges in the same manner. Transfer the pastry shells to baking sheets lined with parchment paper and poke the interior of the shells all over with the tines of a fork. Refrigerate the pastry for at lest 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. If you wish, you can freeze the shells on the baking sheets, and when they are frozen, stack them inside freezer bags. Bake the shells without defrosting first.
• 4.Prebaking:
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the rims of the tarts with egg wash. Bake the tart shells (1 baking sheet at a time) for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F and continue to bake until they are an even golden brown, 8 to 12 minutes longer. Lift a shell with a spatula and check that the underside is evenly brown. If the tart shells puff up during baking, press down the center of the pastry with the back of a large spoon. Let cool on the baking sheet.

RATATOUILLE TART WITH FLAKY CHEDDAR & THYME PASTRY

Steps:

• The night before making the tart, wrap the butter for the pastry in foil, and freeze until solid - this will make it easier to grate. To make the pastry, put the flour in a large bowl and mix in half the polenta, the cheese, thyme (reserving a few leaves to serve) and a good pinch of salt. Using a coarse cheese grater, grate in the frozen butter - try to handle it as little as possible so it doesn't get soft - and stir it in with a knife as you go. Give the mixture one last stir to make sure all the butter is coated with flour, then quickly stir in 125ml very cold water. Gently bring together with your hands (splashing in a little more water if it looks dry), then wrap in baking parchmentand chill for 30 mins.
• Slice the tomatoes to roughly the thickness of a £1 coin (use a mandoline, if you have one). Reserve about half of the tomato slices for the top of the tart, then roughly chop the rest into chunks.
• Heat the grill to high (or you can use the flame of a gas hob). Pierce the aubergine four or five times with the tip of a knife and grill (or hold over the gas flame using tongs), turning often, for 8-10 mins, or until the skin is charred and the aubergine is soft and collapsing. Leave to cool a little.
• Heat half the oil in a pan over a low-medium heat, and cook the onions with a pinch of salt for 10 mins until the onions start to caramelise. Meanwhile, scrape the skin off the aubergine (don't worry if some pieces cling to the flesh - it will add a smoky flavour). Roughly chop the aubergine flesh.
• Add the garlic and aubergine to the onions and cook for another 5 mins, or until any liquid released from the aubergine has evaporated. Add the chopped tomatoes and sugar, season, and continue to cook for 5-10 mins until thickened. Leave to cool, then chill until ready to use. Can be prepared up to a day ahead.
• Slice the courgettes to roughly the thickness of a £1 coin. Put in a bowl and toss with a good pinch of salt. Leave for 10 mins.
• Remove the pastry from the fridge. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 with a baking tray inside (or a 30cm shallow skillet pan, if you have one). Roll the pastry out on a large sheet of baking parchment dusted with a little flour, to a circle about 35cm wide. Trim the edge if you want a neat finish.
• Drain any liquid from the courgettes, then tip onto a plate lined with kitchen paper. Pat dry to remove as much moisture as you can. Sprinkle the remaining polenta over the pastry, then top with the chilled tomato and aubergine mix. Spread it out using the back of a spoon, leaving a 3cm border around the edge.
• Arrange the reserved tomato slices and the courgettes in overlapping concentric circles on top of the tart. Brush the vegetables with the remaining oil, season and sprinkle with the parmesan. Fold the pastry edge over the veg slightly, pressing gently to seal. Brush the pastry edge with the beaten yolk.
• Carefully slide the tart, still on the baking parchment, onto the hot tray or into the skillet pan. Bake for 45 mins until golden, then scatter with the extra thyme leaves, if using. Leave to cool a little and serve just warm, or at room temperature.