Classic English Egg Custard Tart Food

CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• The Case: Roll out the pastry into a rectangle and brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle on some icing sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Tightly roll the pastry, along the longest side, into a sausage roll and slice into discs (about 1-inch thick). With the palm of your hand press down into each disc, then roll out each one into a circle.
• Grease the bottom and sides of 6 oven-proof glasses with butter, then dip each into a bag of flour so that the flour sticks to the butter and shake off any excess. Put the center of the pastry circles on top of the floured oven-proof glass, and gently press the sides of the pastry onto the side of the glass (it should look a bit pleated). Place the glasses (rim side down) on a tray in a preheated 350 degree F.oven). When they are cooked, take them out of the oven and press the bottom of each pastry case, this will ensure that they have a flat bottom.
• The Custard: Break the eggs into a mixing bowl with the sugar and orange zest and whisk thoroughly. Scrape out the seeds inside of a vanilla pod and stir this into the egg mixture. Pour the cream into a saucepan and remove from the heat just before it boils. Pour the hot cream into the bowl of eggs, stirring all the time. Then transfer this mixture back to the saucepan, on medium heat and stir continuously until it has thickened.
• Pour the custard into the pastry cases and let sit to cool.
• Heat the sugar and water on a high heat until you have a golden caramel. As soon as this is ready, pour a thin layer on top of the custard.;

CLASSIC ENGLISH EGG CUSTARD TART

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the flour, butter, and salt into a large bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, working as quickly as possible to prevent the dough from becoming warm.
• Add the very cold water to the mixture and then, use a cold knife to stir until the dough binds together. Add more water a teaspoon at a time if the mixture is too dry. Wrap the dough, and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch round. Fit the dough into a 9- to 9 1/2-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Don't overstretch the pastry while rolling, as it may crack in the oven. Trim the edges of the dough evenly with the top of the tart pan. Lightly dock the bottom of the dough in the tart pan. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or alternatively freeze for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375 F.
• Line the tart with parchment, fill with dry beans or pie weights, and bake until the edges are dry and light brown, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the parchment and the pie weights and continue to bake until the bottom crust is light golden, 5 to 8 minutes more. Remove from the oven and set aside while you make the filling.
• Gather the ingredients. Lower the oven to 325 F.
• In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs and egg yolks with the sugar.
• In a medium saucepan, warm the cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Drizzle the cream slowly over the beaten eggs, whisking constantly to prevent cooking the eggs. Add the vanilla extract, if using.
• Place the tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the egg-cream mixture through a fine sieve into the tart shell (if you have some remaining custard, you can bake it separately in an oven-proof ramekin).
• Sprinkle evenly with the grated nutmeg . Transfer to the oven and bake until the edges of the custard are firm, and the center is set, but still wobbles a bit in the center when the pan is gently nudged, 24 to 27 minutes. The custard will firm up even more as it cools, so be careful not to overbake.
• Let the baked tart cool to room temperature. Carefully remove the tart from the pan and serve.

A VERY PROPER ENGLISH CUSTARD

Steps:

• Bring milk and cream to a simmer slowly on low heat.
• Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together, add the egg yolks, combine well.
• Slowly whisk the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Add vanilla. Return to the saucepan and stir gently until thickened. Serve hot, or cool to use as a layer in trifles, or fill tart pans.
• Tip. If using it hot, it can be kept warm in a jug set in a pan of hot water with a bit of cling film on top to prevent a skin forming.