Rhubarb lemon custard tart – could this be the meaning of true happiness??
Rhubarb lemon custard tart
Makes 1 x deep 8” round tart
Sweet pastry
125g butter
125g caster sugar
1 medium egg
250g plain flour
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Lemon custard
300ml milk
1 vanilla pod
4 medium egg yolks
50g caster sugar
15g plain flour
1 lemon zest
100g marscapone cheese
Poached rhubarb
5 rhubarb stalks
150ml water
25g caster sugar
Garnish
Chopped pistachio nuts
Lemon zest
Mint
Method
For the sweet pastry, cream the butter and sugar together until pale in colour.
Add the egg and vanilla, combine.
Finally, add the flour. Do not over mix at this stage.
Turn the mix out onto a floured surface, gently knead to form a ball.
Wrap in cling and chill for a minimum of 1 hour.
When rested, return to the floured surface and roll out.
Grease and flour your loose bottom baking tin and carefully cover with the rolled out pastry.
Check that there are no cracks or holes and trim off the excess pastry. Chill for 25 minutes.
Line the tart shell with parchment and fill with baking beans and bind bake in a pre-heated oven at 165ºC for 10 minutes, remove the baking beans and return the tart to the oven for a further 4-5 minutes to finish baking.
Set aside to cool
The next step is the lemon custard, gently heat the milk and the split and scraped vanilla pod.
Whisk the egg yolks, lemon zest, sugar and flour in a bowl until pale in colour.
Pour the warm vanilla flavoured milk over the egg yolk mix and stir well.
Allow the flavours to infuse for 5 minutes and then strain the mix into a clean pot.
Cook gently for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
Place in a bowl, cover with cling film placed directly on top of the thickened mixture and chill.
When completely cold, whisk in the marscapone and return to the fridge.
The poached rhubarb is very simple, wash and cut the stalks into 3 inch pieces.
Place these on a tray and sprinkle over the sugar and water and place in a preheated oven at 165ºC for 10 minutes or until the rhubarb starts to soften but still holds its shape. This will all depend on the thickness of the stalks but most importantly do not overcook.
Remove from the oven and cool.
Assembly
Spoon the lemon custard into the pre-baked tart shell and arrange the cooked rhubarb on top.
For colour I like to finish with chopped pistachio nuts and lemon zest.
Enjoy!
