Lemon And Elderflower Tart Food

LEMON AND ELDERFLOWER TART

Steps:

• Butter a 23cm/9-inch loose-bottomed tart tin, make the pastry, then use it to line the tin and blind bake it according to the instructions. Lower the oven temperature to 340°F/170°C/150°C fan/gas 3.
• Lightly whisk together the eggs, sugar and lemon juice, then add the cream and elderflower cordial. Stir in two-thirds of the lemon zest, reserving the rest for the top. Try to pop any bubbles that appear on the surface with a skewer or skim them off with a spoon.
• Pour half the lemon mixture into the tart case then put it in the oven. Once it is safely in, fill it completely to the top with the rest of the mixture (this half and half approach helps to prevent spillage) then bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tart has just set. It should still have a slight wobble in the middle.
• Leave the tart to cool completely before removing it from the tin and chilling it in the fridge. To serve, dust with confectioners' sugar and the remaining lemon zest and if you like you can add a big dollop of mascarpone mixed with whipped cream on the side.

CATELLI'S TENNESSEE TART

Steps:

• Add the mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle, if desired. Add the lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, bourbon, bitters and ice to the shaker. Shake well. Add 1 large ice cube and a lemon slice to a coupe glass. Strain the cocktail over the ice. Garnish with a mint leaf.

LEMON TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Fill a medium saucepan one-third full with water and bring to a simmer. Put the zest and lemon juice in a medium bowl and whisk in the eggs. Add the sugar and butter and place the bowl over the simmering water; the water must not touch the bottom of the bowl. Cook, whisking constantly, until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan of hot water and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. Place the pre - baked tart shell on a baking sheet. Pour the filling into the shell and bake the tart for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the center is just set. Cool the tart completely on a wire rack. Make the garnish: Using a channel knife, cut 6 lengthwise grooves in the lemon, removing 6 strips of rind. Cut a crosswise slice from the center of the lemon and place it in the center of the tart. Slice the remaining lemon and place it in the center of the sections into half and then cut the sections into halfmoons. Arrange the slices around the edge of the tart with the cut sides out. If necessary, rewarm the apricot glaze over low heat or in the microwave. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top of the tart with the warm apricot glaze. Garnish with a few mint leaves.
• Sift together the confectioners' sugar, flour, and salt into a bowl. Place the butter in a food processor and process until smooth, about 15 seconds. Scatter the flour mixture over the butter, add the egg, and process just until the dough forms a mass; do not overmix. Turn the dough out onto the counter and divide it into 2 pieces. Shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

ELDERFLOWER LEMON CURD

Steps:

• Gently shake elderflower umbels to remove any insects. Remove as much of the green stems as possible. The best way to do this is to strip them off the stems with your fingers into a bowl.n
• Combine sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved in the warm liquid. Add elderflowers, turn off the heat, and let steep for 1 to 2 hours.n
• Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a double boiler or a metal bowl placed over a saucepan with simmering water. Squeeze the elderflowers to extract as much of the liquid as possible.n
• Add eggs to the double boiler and cook over simmering water, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until mixture coats the back of the spoon, about 10 minutes. Make sure to scrape over the bottom and the sides of the double boiler.n
• Once mixture is thick, remove from the heat. If it seems a bit lumpy, strain it through a fine sieve again. Add butter and stir until fully dissolved. Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate or freeze.n

ELDERFLOWER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a screw top jar, screw on the lid and shake vigorously until the all the ingredients are incorporated and creamy.
• Serve immediately on baby leaf salads or as a dressing on hot new potatoes. The dressing also makes a good light sauce for fish or baked chicken.

ELDERFLOWER & LIME CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place the digestive biscuits in a large plastic bag. Hold one end of the bag and using a rolling pin, crush until they resemble fine breadcrumbs.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the crushed biscuits and sugar until they are fully combined.
• Press the biscuit mixture firmly into an 8” round tin with a lift up base and place in the fridge to set.
• Wash the lemon and grate the skin using a fine grater or use a zester. Place this zest together with the cream cheese, icing sugar and lime juice in a food processor and mix well.
• Then slowly add the cream and elderflower cordial until it is a smooth thick paste.
• Spread this mixture on the biscuit base and refrigerate.
• Just before serving, sprinkle the cheesecake with the zest of the lime.