APPLE & BRIE TART
SERVES 8 PREP + COOK TIME: 1 HOUR, 45 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION & FREEZING)
• 2 medium red apples (300g), unpeeled
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 300g brie
• 400g fresh ricotta
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp wholegrain mustard
• ¼ cup (85g) grapefruit or lime marmalade, warmed
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme
SOUR CREAM PASTRY
• 12/3 cups (250g) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 80g cold butter, chopped coarsely
• ½ cup (120g) sour cream
• 1 egg yolk
1. Make the sour cream pastry
(see recipe, right).
2. Oil a 24cm round loose-based tart tin. Roll the pastry between sheets of lightly floured baking paper until large enough to line the tin. Ease the pastry into the tin, pressing into the base and circumference; trim the edge. Freeze for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
4. Place the tart tin on an oven tray; line with baking paper, then fill with dried beans or rice. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the paper and beans, and bake for a further 10 minutes or until browned lightly. Cool on the tray.
5. Meanwhile, using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut the apples lengthways into 5mm-thick slices. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add half the apples; cook for 30 seconds on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towel. Repeat with the remaining apple slices.
6. Finely chop three-quarters of the brie. Cut the remaining brie into thin slices; reserve. Combine the chopped brie, ricotta, thyme leaves, egg and mustard in a medium bowl; season. Spread the mixture into the tart shell. Arrange the reserved sliced brie over the cheese mixture, overlapping the slices. Brush with the marmalade.
7. Bake for 30 minutes. Top the tart with the apple and bake for a further 5 minutes or until the apple is warmed through.
8. Serve warm, topped with the thyme sprigs.
SOUR CREAM PASTRY
1. Process the flour and butter until crumbly. Add the cream and egg yolk; process until the mixture comes together. Knead the pastry on a floured surface until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 30 minutes. ✤