I spend a good portion of the year trying to decide what "THE" dish for that year will be. I make plenty of garlicky things on a regular basis, but I'm always looking for something a little special for the day. Just like I do for any other holiday. I'm a little disappointed, because I semi-promised myself that this would be the year that I made garlic ice cream. I think I may have even told you that last year.
Here we sit. Ice Cream-less. I guess I'm just going to have to make it as a treat for a non-holiday, because I absolutely cannot wait a whole 'nother year to make some. The sad part is, I have several recipes patiently hanging out...waiting for me to try them.
Ice cream, shmice cream.
Caramelized Garlic Tart
by
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 75 minutes (total)
Keywords: bake entree vegetarian nut-free garlic cheese herbs
Ingredients (serves 8)
- 1 sheet (half of a 17.3 oz. box) puff pastry, thawed
- 3 heads garlic, cloves separated and peeled
- 1 Tbs. olive oil
- 1 Tbs. Balsamic vinegar
- 1 c. water
- slightly heaping 2 tsp. sugar
- 1 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
- sea salt
- 4 oz. chèvre (soft goat cheese)
- 4 oz. gouda
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 c. + 2 1/2 tsp. heavy cream
- 1/4 c. + 2 1/2 tsp. crème fraîche
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Set a 9.5-inch tart pan with a removable bottom on a baking sheet.
Roll out the puff pastry into a circle that will line the bottom of the pan and hang over by about 1/2-inch or so. Line the pan with the pastry. Prick the bottom a few times with the tines of a fork. Line the pastry with a circle of parchment, foil, or wax paper and fill it with pie weights (or dried beans or rice). Set in the fridge to rest for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Slide the baking tray with the tart shell on it into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Lift out the liner and the weights and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the pastry turns a light, golden color. Leave the oven on.
You can start this part as soon as the pastry goes into the fridge, and continue on once it goes into the oven. Place the garlic cloves in a small saucepan and cover with water by at least an inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 3 minutes. Drain and wipe the pan dry. Add the olive oil to the pan along with the blanched garlic over high heat and cook for 2 minutes. Add the Balsamic and the water and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the sugar, chopped rosemary and thyme, and about 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Continue to simmer at a quick bubble until the most of the liquid has evaporated and the garlic cloves are coated in a caramely syrup, 10-15 minutes.
Crumble both cheeses (or you can shred the harder cheese, if you like) into the pastry shell. Spoon the garlic and its syrupy liquid over the cheese. Whisk the remaining ingredients together (with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper), and pour over and around the cheese and garlic, allowing the garlic and cheese to still show over the surface. You will use most of the filling, but may have a tablespoon or so that will not fit - no biggie, don't overfill the shell.
Slide into the oven, close the door, and lower the heat to 325° F. Bake for ~45 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top has started to turn golden in spots. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a bit, so that you can comfortably pick it up. Once you are able to handle it, lift the bottom from the ring and then use a long, flat spreader (or something like it) to slide the tart onto a serving plate. Garnish with a couple of fresh sprigs of thyme, if you like.
Serve warm or a room temperature. Store completely cooled tart in the fridge, wrapped tightly; reheat in a low oven until warmed through.
note:
If you don't have any crème fraîche, you can make a decent substitute by whisking about 1 1/2 teaspoons of buttermilk into 5 teaspoons of sour cream. I'm not saying it's an exact replica - but it works for me.
adapted from Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi
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HAPPY NATIONAL GARLIC DAY 2013!
I didn't know whether to rip it open with wild abandon or carefully pick the sticker off with my somewhat re-grown fingernails. So, I took a deep breath and proceeded midway between the two. I ripped that stick on the back right in half and slowly peeled back the plastic while that warm, cocoa smell wafted gently, yet forcefully toward my nose. It was so beautiful; so lovingly hand crafted. I broke off a few squares to expose the shards of aged Gouda that were nestled inside.
I didn't really want to shove the whole thing in my mouth (well, I kind of did) because I knew this was it. It was meant to be savored...enjoyed...reveled in. So, I ate three squares and folded the rest back into the wrapper for later. It was like heaven on my tongue. The chocolate was so smooth and creamy. The Gouda was generously studded throughout...it was salty and almost tasted smokey; it was a bit crumbly, because it's been aged for 2 years and it was perfect! I am the kind of person who equally enjoys sweet and salty. If I eat a piece of chocolate, I like a salty nut to balance it out (think Raisinettes in your popcorn...oh, or Reese's pieces in your popcorn...that's me). So, it is my dream bar of chocolate. Thank you so much CheeseWench...you have made my week. I will be getting a hold of you next time I head to Chicago (to stock up on these if nothing else). I made myself save 1 little square until I was done publicly worshipping it...goodbye lovely chocolate...until next time.
I also want to give a BIG, SPARKLY thank you to Kim from 
1. I'm modest...I have a hard time naming awesome things about myself (unless it comes to my food...then I'm pretty straight-forward).
